Deep Springs Valley facts for kids

Deep Springs Valley is a special high desert valley located in Inyo County, California. It sits between the Inyo Mountains and the White Mountains. To its west is the Owens Valley and the tall Sierra Nevada mountain range. To the north, you'll find Fish Lake Valley in Nevada, as Deep Springs Valley is quite close to the California-Nevada border.

You can reach Deep Springs Valley using California State Route 168. This road connects it to the Owens and Fish Lake valleys, going over Westgard Pass to the west and Gilbert Pass to the north. If you look northwest, you'll see White Mountain Peak. To the east is Eureka Valley, which you can reach by horse through Soldier Pass in the Piper Mountain Wilderness. Cars can't go this way, though!

Valley Features

Deep Springs Lake seen from the northwest.

Deep Springs Valley is famous for its unique natural features.

Deep Springs Lake

At the heart of the valley is Deep Springs Lake. It's a "playa," which means it's a salt lake that often dries up in the summer, leaving a flat, salty area. But don't worry, it fills up again in late spring! Water flows into it from nearby springs and from melting snow that travels down from Wyman and Crooked creeks to the north.

This lake is a popular spot for birds, especially during their spring and fall migrations. Many different kinds of birds stop here on their long journeys. The valley gets its name from the many springs around the lake, some of which are "artesian," meaning water flows up from underground naturally.

The Deep Springs Black Toad

The springs in Deep Springs Valley are home to a very special animal called the Deep Springs Black Toad. This toad is an "endemic species," which means it lives only in Deep Springs Valley and nowhere else in the world! Scientists have studied these toads and found that their population seems to be doing well, even with cattle grazing nearby in winter and spring.

Valley Rocks and Landforms

The geology of Deep Springs Valley is very interesting, especially for students who study rocks and the Earth.

The Poleta Folds

On the hillsides in the southwestern part of the valley, you can see something amazing called the Poleta Folds. These are layers of rock that have been bent and folded over millions of years, like a giant accordion! They are a clear example of how the Earth's crust can fold. Geology students from universities often come here to study these ancient rock layers, which are part of the Cambrian-aged Poleta formation. It's known as one of the most complex areas in California for studying folded and faulted rocks.

The Active Fault

Also visible at the base of the Inyo Mountains, behind Deep Springs Lake, is a large fault. A fault is like a giant crack in the Earth's crust where the ground can move. Scientists have found that this fault moved about 1,800 years ago in a big event. The fault is still active today, but studies suggest it only moves significantly about every 4,000 years.

The lake itself is quite high up, at an elevation of 4,905 feet (about 1,495 meters). It's also special because it sometimes forms a mineral called dolomite, which is rare to see forming in lakes like this.

People in the Valley

Deep Springs Valley is home to Deep Springs College. This is a unique two-year college where students live and work on a ranch while studying. It's a very different kind of learning experience!

In the northwest corner of the valley, you can also find the old ruins of a small mining town called White Mountain City.