Recently I explored the Sierra Hot Springs in Sierra County California, about a 45 minute drive from Lake Tahoe. For almost 150 years, it has boasted hot springs and the water in the area is as smooth as silk, loaded with lithium, sulfur and other healing minerals.
Within the last couple of years, two of the springs have been beautifully redeveloped. The Temple Dome Area is the main pool area and consists of The Hot Pool which is enclosed in a large geodesic dome, featuring stained glass and skylights. Complimented by two cold plunges this pool is also sand bottomed, with mosaic tile sides.
We went at night so you couldn’t clearly see the mosaic tiles but the large Gold Buddha was illuminated by the brightness of the full moon and other brighly lit stars shining in through the glass doors. The bottom of the pool is full of sand making it feel more natural and of course, soft to the touch.
The pools are clothing optional and when we were there, no one wore a swimming cozzy, then again, it wasn’t beaming with light, so those conscious of extra rolls and pasty white skin didn’t have to worry. That said, most people who come to the springs aren’t thinking about extra rolls in any event – they’re there to relax, take in an amazing soak and for some, to heal. Hot springs are notoriously known for helping an illness along and it’s also great for the skin, including acne.
Outside the dome, the large Warm Pool is complimented by a large wooden sundeck. There is also a new and improved dry sauna at the Temple Dome Pool area. Because it was a full moon when we were there (Sept 25), most people stayed in the warm pool outside taking in the moon’s glory. It was such a warm night — really a perfect night — you didn’t want to leave. The Springs date back to the 1800s and early 20th century, which at the time, drew city dwellers to the mountains to rusticate. Historically, Native Americans considered the place a sacred, healing ground.
The Meditation Pool is outdoors, surrounded by rock tile. To the left is a photo of the Meditation Pool by day since they didn’t allow us to take photos at night, particularly given the clothing optional policy. In this faux natural pool, you step down rock steps into a sand bottomed delight and above you, you can take in the star studded skies. While we were there, frogs joined the dozen or so of us, which dwindled as the night wore on. The full moon was to our rear, the singing frogs somewhere in the pool up near the rocks to the rear and a bat or two would fly back and forth between us (yes, between us) for at least half the time. If you have a fear of bats, now is the time to get over it because the relaxation and the gorgeous California night skies are worth seeing their shadows as you soak.
I have to admit, there were times I thought one would land on my head they were so close, but with several other humans to my left and right – naked ones at that, I figured I was safe for the duration. After all, once you remind yourself it’s a pretty small creature, you move behind the bat and onto the stars and on that particular night, a field of cows off the distance who were mooing loudly, so much so that it sounded like a chorus and I had to constantly stop myself from laughing out loud……
The Phoenix Baths are seasonal pools inside private rooms, and the warm spring water is drained and refilled between users. Sierra Hot Springs is a non-profit organization maintained and operated by a group of resident workers; their goal is to provide stewardship for this sacred land.
They also offer massages at $65 a pop for an hour as well as facials and other treatments. The main reception area has a few old but colorful couches, an old stone fireplace and enough old heavy wood and rock to make you feel at home in a peaceful old lodge in the mountains.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
