once upon a time...it was a "goldilocks day" - it was not too hot & not too cold, it felt just right to go for a walk in the forest. and...once upon a time...the "family of infinite soul, inc." had a picnic at crabtree hot springs. situated at the bottom of a beautiful steep narrow canyon, crabtree hot springs is populated by families of turtles, squirrels & chipmunks. the turtles live & swim in the river, while the squirrels & chipmunks run up & down the steep hillside playing all day. in the summertime, ladybugs inhabit crabtree hot springs in abundance, as goshawks fly overhead, and turtles bask in the sun on a hot rock.

described as remote and primitive, crabtree hot springs is completely surrounded by mendocino national forest, and located adjacent to the hale ridge research natural area - which features an impressive selection of knobcone pine. the area is also considered to be a critical habitat for the federally protected northern spotted owl, and is a winter range for black-tailed deer.

hot springs are often referred to as god's gift.

at crabtree - the hot water flows up from the bottom of the river at a temperature of 106 F.

upper pool - not too hot... each of the 3 pools are small & shallow, but plenty hot at 106 degrees, or hotter if in the sun - plus the middle of the river, about 6 ft deep, becomes nicely heated in the summertime - when the cold water level is much lower. the size & shape of the upper & lower pools vary seasonally from year to year. lower pool - just right

middle - bathtub pool - with drain not too cold...

also - there is a mud bath area just upstream from the pools.

clothing is optional.