- Crabtree Hot Springs, California
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Coordinates: 39°17′23.59″N 122°49′19.98″W / 39.2898861°N 122.8222167°W
Crabtree Hot Springs — Unincorporated community — Crabtree Hot Springs
Location in California
Crabtree Hot SpringsCoordinates: 39°17′23.59″N 122°49′19.98″W / 39.2898861°N 122.8222167°W Country United States State California County Lake County Crabtree Hot Springs 1875 Elevation 2,257 ft (688 m) Crabtree Hot Springs is an unincorporated community and geological phenomenon in Lake County, California about 25 miles (40 km) north of Upper Lake. It lies at an elevation of 2,257 feet(688 m). There is a cluster of four natural hot springs at this location, in an isolated narrow winding steep walled canyon on the north bank of the Rice Fork of the Eel River, about one fourth mile downriver from its junction with Salt Creek. Three of the hot springs are aligned in one area at a large swimming hole, while the fourth hot spring is about 60 feet(18 m) back upriver. The temperature of the hottest spring is 106 F(41 C), with a flow rate of about 10 US gallons (38 L) per minute.[1]
Contents
History
c. 1855 John Fletcher Crabtree[2]
About 1875, John Fletcher Crabtree(1824-1915), and sons found the hot springs by following a well used Indian trail, and have graded a fair road to reach their springs, on the Eel River, where they invite invalids to try the medicinal qualities of the water. Not only did the Indian believe in the health giving qualities of the mineral waters, but many whites also had absolute faith in the springs as a cure-all. Some people even took sick horses there and swore by the results. No water was commercially bottled here, but the springs was commercialized as a resort but in a very small way.[3]
About 1907, Samuel Tate Packwood(1842-1924), an Upper Lake businessman, bought property at Crabtree Hot Springs, and made plans to set up a resort there. Crabtree lived at the springs for a good many years.[3]
c. 1890 John & Elizabeth Crabtree[2]Minerals
About 1900, in search of quicksilver, two tunnels were driven into the canyon side a short distance downriver from the springs, and although the rock contains noticeable amounts of cinnabar, this mineral was not found in paying quantity.[1]
The serpentine rock at the head of the Eel River is crushed to a green clay or shinning black shales. At Crabtree Hot Springs, the serpentine is exposed in the bed of the creek, with argillaceous shale on both sides. The springs come up at the contact as well as in the serpentine.[1]
The principal spring emerges at the northeast edge of the stream in a natural rock basin at the foot of a small cliff, and yields perhaps 10 US gallons (38 L) a minute of water 106 F(41 C) in temperature. Considerable gas, probably carbon dioxide issues with the water which is mildly carbonated and is distinctly mineralized by salts of soda, sulfur, and probably also of iron. The pool formed by this spring has long been used for bathing and the water is locally considered efficacious in the treatment of skin and blood diseases.[1]
Twin Valley Road & Indian Trails
Rice Fork Eel River at Crabtree Hot Springs trailheadAt one time, there was an old Indian trail from the springs to Twin Valleys and on to Bartlett Springs. The Crabtree family built the first wagon road from Twin Valleys to Crabtree Hot Springs, and helped build the present road from Twin Valleys to Bartlett Springs. The Crabtree family all moved from the Crabtree Hot Springs area before 1900, and the road to this location was abandoned and soon became impassable. Packwood reopened the wagon road which at that time only went as far as the springs.[3]
Twin Valley Road was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1934 as a public work relief program for young unemployed men during the depression. Often referred to as the (Off-Highway Vehicle)OHV Corridor, Twin Valley Road(forest road 17N04) is a designated 40-mile (64 km) east-west major transportation route across the south end of Mendocino National Forest connecting the Upper Lake and Grindstone Ranger Districts.[4][5]
From Twin Valley Road(at the junction of Rice Fork & Salt Creek), there is a one fourth mile trail to the hot springs. The trail follows the river, staying on the north side.
At another time, an Indian trail went from the hot springs down the Rice Fork canyon to the mouth of the river where it entered Gravelly Valley, then crossed the river at the upper end of the valley, then went up Squaw Valley Creek to the north of Big Squaw Valley and over the ridge to the Indian village at Bloody Rock. A portion of this trail is now under Lake Pillsbury.[3]
There was also a well used Indian trail from Upper Lake to the hot springs, as it was a spa for them. The large boulder at the springs is called, Medicine Rock.[3]
Deaths
Crabtree Hot SpringsMITCHELL, Todd(before 1900). When it was legal to kill and sell deer meat, there were two commercial deer hunters camped near the hot springs who peddled the meat in the Clear Lake area. One time, Mr. Crabtree went to civilization to get supplies and on his return found one of the hunters dead as he had accidentally killed himself. He is buried and his grave is near the springs.[3]
Small animals, birds & lizards are often killed on coming down to the river to drink. There is an immense amount of carbonic acid gas bubbling up through the water of the river and that which flows out of the hillside at these hot springs. Sulfuric gas fumes are also present.[1]
J.F. Crabtree(1824-1915)
John Fletcher Crabtree was born in Virginia on April 13, 1824. When a young man, John moved to Missouri where he met, and then married Elizabeth Davis on Nov 28, 1844. The couple traveled west to California in 1852, and first homesteaded in Contra Costa County, before finally settling in Lake County around 1870, first at Twin Valleys and then Crabtree Hot Springs. John built his home about 150 yards southwest from the junction of Rice Fork and Salt Creek, on a bench on land. John & Elizabeth had 12 children(4 daughters & 8 sons). He died on April 3, 1915 and is buried in the Upper Lake Cemetery.[3]
c. 1885 Sheriff Samuel T. Packwood & wife Margaret[6]S.T. Packwood(1842-1924)
Sheriff Samuel T. Packwood, Kittitas County, Washington. Served as the county's second sheriff from 1884-1889. As president of several irrigation canal enterprises, Packwood was a recognized authority, and leader in the promotion and successful completion of large scale irrigation projects.[6] However, Mrs. Packwood suffered from asthma, and with hopes of benefiting her health, the Packwood's moved to Upper Lake in 1905. With gratifying results, her afflicition practically disappeared with the change of climate.[7]
In Lake County, Packwood owned a large farm near Upper Lake, served on the Board of Directors of the Farmer's Merchant Bank in Lakeport, and planned to build a resort at Crabtree Hot Springs. About 1907, he concreted the middle hot springs, at the swimming hole, into a small bathtub with drain. Sometime later, the Packwood's moved back to Kittitas County, Washington.[3]
Map & Nearby
c. 1906 John & Elizabeth Crabtree at the First Twin Valley School[2]Map
Google panoramio map of Crabtree Hot Springs
Nearby
Hale Ridge Research Natural Area(RNA), Mendocino National Forest. Established by the Forest Service in 1987 to represent the Knobcone Pine Forest for the North Coast Ranges, the RNA includes an impressive selection of Knobcone Pine, is a designated critical habitat for the federally protected Northern Spotted Owl, and a winter range for Black-tailed Deer. Within the RNA, dense stands of Knobcone Pine and mixed conifer forest, dominated by Douglas-fir, also provides a dispersal habitat for a Forest Service listed sensitive species, the Northern Goshawk. The RNA northwestern boundary is adjacent to the hot springs.[8]
Bear Creek Campground(USFS), Mendocino National Forest. Free & open all year, maximum stay 14 days, 16 picnic tables & grilles + 2 toilets, elevation 2,000 feet(610 m). Set beside Bear Creek near its confluence with Blue Slides Creek, on Forest Road M-10(county road 301-C) about 9 miles (14 km) northeast from its junction with Elk Mountain Road. Located near the southern edge of the Snow Mountain Wilderness, about 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of the hot springs.[4]
References
Wed-Sat 10am-4pm & Sunday noon-4pm
Lakeport Historic Courthouse Museum- Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey water-supply paper Volume 338, Springs of California by Gerald A. Waring, Washington Government Printing Office, 1915
- USGS POTATO HILL Quad, California, Topographic map - 1996
- History of Mendocino & Lake Counties with Biographical Sketches by Aurelius O. Carpenter & Percy H. Millberry - Illustrated, Complete in One Volume - Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California - 1914
- Signature Page for Research Natural Area Establishment Record, Hale Ridge Research Natural Area, Mendocino National Forest, Lake County, California - 1987
- USFS Mendocino National Forest
- Mauldin's Notes on Lake County History
- Lakeport Historic Courthouse Museum
- James F. Justin Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
- Roslyn Museum, Kittitas County, Washington
- ^ a b c d e USGS water-supply paper Volume 338
- ^ a b c Lakeport Museum
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mauldin's Notes on Lake County History
- ^ a b USFS Mendocino National Forest
- ^ James F. Justin Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
- ^ a b Roslyn Museum
- ^ History of Mendocino & Lake Counties
- ^ Signature Page for Hale Ridge RNA
Municipalities and communities of Lake County, California Cities 
CDPs Clearlake Oaks | Clearlake Riviera | Cobb | Hidden Valley Lake | Kelseyville | Lower Lake | Lucerne | Middletown | Nice | North Lakeport | Soda Bay | Spring Valley | Upper Lake
Unincorporated
communitiesAdams | Bartlett Springs | Bonanza Springs | Buckingham Park | Caldwell Pines | Castle Rock Springs | Clear Lake Keys | Cooper | Crabtree Hot Springs | Crocker Place | Enterprise | Ettawa Springs | Finley | Forest Lake | Four Pines | Glenbrook | Glenhaven | Glenview | Harbin Springs | Harbin Springs Annex | Highland Springs | Hobergs | Hough Springs | Howard Springs | Loch Lomond | Mount Hannah Lodge | Newman Springs | Parramore Springs | Pepperwood Grove | Pine Grove | Pole Garden | Rice Fork Summer Homes | Riviera Estates | Riviera West | Rose Place | Salminas Resort | Saratoga Springs | Seigler Springs | Sunrise Vista | Three Crossing | Twin Lakes | Vann | Whispering Pines | Wild Bill Place
Indian
reservationsBig Valley Rancheria | Elem Indian Colony | Middletown Rancheria | Robinson Rancheria | Upper Lake Rancheria
Former
settlementsArabella | Baker Soda Spring | Barkerville | Bertha | Borax Springs | Bottle Rock | Dahnohabe | Eastlake | Elliott Springs | Ely's | Gifford Springs | Guenoc | Hopitsewah | Hoppins Springs | Howard Mill | Hullville | Kaci-badon | Kayote | Khawina | Knocti | Koi | Laurel Dell | Lolsel | Midlakes | Mirabel | Morgan | Nita | Olposel | Pences | Putah | Quicksilver | Reiff | Sanhedrin | Spiers Springs | Witter Springs
Categories:- Populated places in Lake County, California
- Unincorporated communities in California
- Springs of California
- Hot springs of the United States
- Hot springs of California
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