McCauley Hot Springs, also known as McCauley Warm Springs and Battleship Rock Hot Springs is a thermal spring in the Santa Fe National Forest, near the Jemez Springs area of Northern New Mexico.

McCauley Hot Springs
McCauley Warm Springs
Battleship Rock Hot Spring
Main soaking pool at McCauley hot springs
Map
LocationNorth of Jemez Springs near the Battleship Rock area
Coordinates35°49′12″N 106°37′37″W / 35.82°N 106.627°W / 35.82; -106.627
Elevation7,300 feet (2,200 m)[1]
Typegeothermal, volcanic
Temperature99°F / 37°C
McCauley Hot Springs

Description

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McCauley Hot Springs is a large, shallow warm spring with a primitive rock-lined, gravel-bottomed soaking pool in the Santa Fe National Forest. The spring water cascades into a number of smaller and deeper soaking pools in a clearing in the forest.[2] The rock dam pool was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.[3] The spring pools are surrounded by ponderosa pines.[4]

Downhill from the main soaking area is a three foot-deep rock and log-lined pool. Fifty more feet downhill and across a log and rock footbridge, are two additional warm soaking pools. From there, the water continues to flow downhill to another soaking pool that is between four and five feet deep. As the water cascades downhill the temperature of the spring water cools.[2]

Water profile

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The warm mineral water emerges from the ground at 99°F / 37°C,[5] and cools to between 85 and 90° as it flows into the smaller pools.[2]

Location

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The hot spring is located in the Jemez Springs area, north of the Soda Dam and south of Spence hot spring.[2] It is part of a system of hot springs on the edge of the Valles Caldera, a dormant volcanic crater.[6] The hike to the springs is 4 miles (6.4 km) on a mildly strenuous, but well-maintained trail.[7] The trailhead to the spring is located at the Battleship Rock campground.[8] This hot spring is not accessible during winter.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Loam (1979), p. 183.
  2. ^ a b c d Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2011). Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Thermal. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-890880-09-5.
  3. ^ Loam (1979), p. 105.
  4. ^ Johnson (2000).
  5. ^ Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Spring List for the United States. Boulder, Colorardo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 36.
  6. ^ "McCauley Hot Springs". World Hot Springs. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Hidden Gem: McCauley Warm Springs and Jemez Falls". Dorado Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  8. ^ "McCauley Warm Springs". United States Forest Service. Retrieved 22 October 2020.

Sources

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