The area around the Hoover Dam is blessed with a number of hot springs.
Take a look at the natural corridor where boiling water gushes out from everywhere.
Liberty Bell Arch
There are roughly four hot springs downstream from the Hoover Dam, one of the most famous tourist attractions in the United States.
This time, I walked from the White Rock Canyon parking lot to Ringbolt Hot Springs.
On the left is the old Route 93, and on the right is the trail leading to the hot springs.
James Marvin Phelps - Liberty Bell Arch (2015)
CC BY-NC 2.0
If you take the path that branches off on the way, you can hike to the famous rock called Liberty Bell Arch.
It's about three extra miles round trip, but if you're confident in your fitness, why not give it a try?
Block off the slot canyon
The trail to the hot springs is a 6-mile round trip loop, and you can go around from any direction or not through either; but the north route is easier to walk.
The south route was a bit technical as it went into a canyon.
Considering the fact that the outward route was downhill and the return uphill, I chose the clockwise course, entering from the steep south route and exiting from the gentle north route.
I saw that the valley was suddenly getting deeper.
I jumped down here because it was downhill, but if it was uphill, it would be tough.
These narrow canyons are commonly referred to as slot canyons.
These valleys, formed by flash flood erosion in dry areas, are not usually flooded.
It should be, but if you can suddenly see the bluish surface of the water, that's the hot spring.
There were thin cracks here and there in the huge monoliths, and geothermally heated water seeped out from them.
The tasteless and odorless water was about 122 degrees F at the gushing point.
Mineral deposits were seen around the water outlet.
Although the amount of water gushing out of each outlet was small, many streams came together to form a stream of hot spring water in the entire valley.
The depth of the water was about chest deep when I sat down.
The pool was at an appropriate temperature of about 109 degrees F.
Looking up, I saw this spectacular view.
A little further downstream, I found a pile of sandbags.
The hot water had been artificially blocked by them.
It looked like a splendid pool, but this was the hiking trail itself.
From time to time, hikers would wade through the hot water and pass by.
This pool was located just beyond another sandbagged area.
In this area, the water was lukewarm due to the cooling process.
The hot water that overcame the last sandbags flowed directly down the cliff as a waterfall.
A metal ladder was fixed in place, and I climbed down fearfully.
Those who come from the northern route will have to go up this ladder in the opposite direction to enter the hot spring.
It would be a superb climax to the hike.
The lukewarm river flowed for a while at the bottom of the canyon and eventually disappeared into the ground.
Then I arrived at the banks of the Colorado River.
If you want to visit the hot springs downstream of the Hoover Dam efficiently, you can take a boat up the Colorado River from Willow Beach.
Summary
Ringbolt (Arizona) Hot Springs, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona, U.S.
My rating
Type: Undeveloped
Rule: Clothing optional
Chemical use: No
Water temp: Up to 122 degrees F
