Map coordinates:
39.4603, -114.037
Water temperature:
79.7°F
Site ID:
MI-009
Gandy Warm Springs. Image courtesy of Daniel Veelik, SoCal Grotto.
Gandy Warm Springs is a refreshing oasis of tiny waterfalls, pools, caves, and crystal clear streams with water temperatures up to 81°F. Located on the western edge of Snake Valley, near the Nevada border, the springs are at the base of the southern tip of Spring Mountain (also called Gandy Mountain). The spring water that cascades down the slope of Spring Mountain joins a larger spring that emerges from a cave, initiating the eastward-flowing Warm Creek (also called Gandy Creek). Lush green vegetation, including mosses, watercress, and bright green algae, and animals such as aquatic snails (including the endemic springsnail, Pyrgulopsis saxatilis, found only at Gandy) and the native speckled dace wonderfully stand in stark contrast to the surrounding dry yellow grasses and desert shrubs. Gandy is a popular spot for locals who use the area for soaking, swimming, and baptisms.
Given the small size of Spring Mountain, a cluster of hills extending a mile north-to-south and rising just 1000 feet above the surrounding landscape, as well as the noticeably dry climate, one is amazed when considering the voluminous output of Gandy Warm Springs. Every minute, the springs discharge nearly 9000 gallons of water. In other words, Gandy Warm Springs can fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools every day.
Gandy_Warm_Springs.pdf Get Topo Map On the Web New Hotspring Search
All snakes can swim.... but not in scalding mineral water! This one suffered a rather quick fate and is now being calcified into the streambed. Traveling north towards Cherry Creek, Nevada, along the old shelf road on the west side of Steptoe Valley, Monte Neva Hot Springs bubbles up out of the ground at about 175°F. Image courtesy of Matt Bowers / Third Media.
The Cave Research Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to:
Facilitating research, management and interpretation of caves and karst resources; Forming partnerships to study, protect and preserve cave resources and karst areas; Promoting the long term conservation of caves and karst ecosystems.
The ghost town of Belmont Mill was established following a silver strike in 1865. Other minerals, such as copper lead and antimony were also mined here. The boom brought in settlers and Belmont grew. The town boasted four stores, two saloons, five restaurants, livery stable, post office, assay office, bank, school, telegraph office, two newspapers, and a blacksmith shop.
As the price of metals fluctuated, so did the fortunes of the town. By 1887, several of the mines closed. Like many towns which are now ghost towns, this one lasted for only a short time.
Some of the buildings are still standing, including the courthouse, the Cosmopolitan Saloon, the Monitor-Belmont Mill, and the combination mill.
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