Today I took the day off of work and visited probably my favorite spot in Southern California - Deep Creek Hot Springs. As has been my pattern as of late in winter, I walked down clothed, stripped at the springs and spent the day nude, and then free hiked it back up.

Done this a few times now without issue but had a weird experience today that was a bit unsettling. I expected zero issues today due to the fact that today is a weekday, and was hiking in a place well known for nudity. Anyway, hiking up I came around the corner and there was a family with mom, dad, 2 teenage girls and 2 younger girls. The two teens ran into the bushes and the other two had their eyes covered by mom and dad who gave me a very solid stink eye as I walked past.

If I was hiking a popular trail on the weekend I might expect something like that but it was an utter shock on a day like today in this spot. I smiled and walked by without apology because I knew they were about to see a WHOLE lot more skin at the springs, but what is an appropriate response in this situation. Sketch with the family but at the same time they had to have some idea as to what they were headed towards as DCHS is impossible to stumble upon. Takes adequate research to even find the trailhead.

Whole thing was just strange and figured it was worth taking this sub’s temperature on it.