On my second night out of Big Bear Lake I made it to Deep Creek hot springs. I'd head the stories before I got there but because it wasn't on the weekend I was hoping for a little tamer experience. Well, yes and no. After setting up my tent I headed to the springs only to see a couple full Montes strutting their stuff. Disappointed, I spent the rest of the night in my tent with the intent to pack up and be out of there at first light. I could hear some partying going throughout most the night. But as I was packing up the next morning while most everyone else was still asleep, I could see that the hottest pool was empty. So I got on my shorts and was able to get in a very welcome 30-minute soak for some tired muscles.

Then as I was leaving, I could hear a woman down near the river screaming, stop, and then scream again. When I looked down there I could see her standing on a big rock with two guys. I don't know what they gave her, but she was flapping her arms like a chicken while screaming, then she would stop and turn 90 degrees, and repeat. All I can say is don't do drugs.

Finally, as I was hiking out of there, I came to a spot where the hot water was coming directly out of the ground, forming a small stream down the hill. I wanted a picture of that, so I got out my camera and started to pan it downstream. But just I was about to snap the pic, there, laying face up in a small pool about 20 feet below, was another full Monte. That was pretty awkward. I ended up not taking the pic.