Fales Hot Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fales Hot Springs |
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Fales Hot Springs in 2016
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| Location | Mono County, California |
| Coordinates | 38°21′04″N 119°24′01″W / 38.35103°N 119.40016°W |
| Elevation | 7,319 feet (2,231 m) |
Fales Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in Mono County, California, in the eastern part of the state. This area is known for its beautiful scenery in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The hot springs are found at a high elevation of about 7,319 feet (2,231 meters). They are located about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of a town called Bridgeport, California, right along U.S. Route 395.
It's important to know that Fales Hot Springs is on private land. It's also someone's home, so it is not open for the public to visit.
The Story of Fales Hot Springs
The hot springs are named after Samuel Fales. He bought this natural hot spring area in 1863. Later, in 1877, he turned the site into a popular resort.
For a short time in 1881, there was even a post office named Fales. By 1908, the Fales Hot Springs resort was a busy place. It had a stagecoach stop and special baths where people could enjoy the warm spring water.
Samuel Fales was known for telling interesting stories to his guests. He lived at the hot springs until he passed away in 1933, at the impressive age of 104!
Changes Over Time
In 1908, Samuel Fales handed over the resort to J.M. Mawer. The resort continued to be used by different owners for many years.
However, in 1952, there was an accident. The resort was damaged in a butane filling incident.
The current home at Fales Hot Springs was built in 1954. It was constructed using money received after the 1952 accident. This new home is about a quarter-mile north of where the old stagecoach stop used to be.
From the property, you can see amazing views to the west. Even though it's a private residence, sometimes drivers on U.S. Route 395 mistake the steam rising from the hot creek for smoke. They might even stop in Bridgeport to report a fire!
Natural Discoveries
People have tried to find valuable minerals around Fales Hot Springs. However, these attempts haven't been very successful. For example, Travertine deposits were found, but they were too porous to be useful.
Some uranium was also discovered by the Department of Energy (DOE). But it seems this uranium was never mined.
A deep test well was drilled, going down 413 feet (126 meters). However, the water from this well was not very hot, only about 100°F (38°C). The natural water from the main spring is much hotter, around 180°F (82°C).
