BAKER HOT SPRINGS
March 15, 2016
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
Baker hot Springs is another remote geothermal feature containing hot springs and mineral deposits form millions of year worth of resurgence.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
The Baker Hot Springs were formed and are still fed by the 6 million year old shield volcano known as Fumarole Butte. Aside from the Intermountain Power Plant, which is operated by and supplies power to the city of Los Angeles, you’re a solid 50 miles from anything resembling civilization.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
To the south is the community of Delta which is one of the few sources in the world for concentrated beryllium, a highly-toxic metal used in aerospace and military grade technology
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
The water itself went from Luke warm conditions, to almost a boiling hot condition with the different pots found around the area.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
In the center of it all, there appears to be a mineral deposit mound where uplift or seepage has erupted these deposits along with a small network of underground rivers that resurge and lose back underground within the area.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
There were 12-15 of these hot pots that had small streams flowing into each other with a underground system just below the surface. When I was crossing over the brush land I actually stepped on a weak spot and broke through down to my knee which covered my shoes and pants with a salt and sulfur mixture.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
That was a bit surprising to fall through like that and thankfully I did not damage too much or fall deeper into a hot witches cauldron of boiling minerals.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
I was also scouting some potential dive leads that I thought might turn into something but ended up being duds except for two small sections of the springs were a big might be able to fit through the entrance and the passage might open up.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
Unfortunately the water must be at least 150 degrees and would require some wall shaving off the ceiling and side panel which does not really need to happen and a underwater survey of this passage is not necessary.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
Over by the tourist side, there are 3 bathtub like structures that allow bathers to soak in the mineral waters of the desert and with the remoteness of this area, you will prob have this place to yourself.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
I put my hands in the water and found it to be a bit cool so I am not sure if you have to open up some vault to let warmer water in but it was fairly cool to the hand.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
There were some interesting popcorn features left over by evaporating static mineral water and different colors of stained rock around the rims of the springs.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
I also found that there were some microbial mats living in these waters which might have included bacterial mats but algae mats were apparent which I find very interesting. This is just another sign that in extreme environments, algae, planktons, and bacteria species can thrive which is something to be said for life on other planets.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
This is just another sign that in extreme environments, algae, planktons, and bacteria species can thrive which is something to be said for life on other planets.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
Other than the power planet that is 20 miles to the east, this place is really remote and you will not find many people (if anybody) upon your arrival.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
The regional area is quite interesting as it is a geothermal active zone where the land is actually being spread apart below creating a thinner crust resulting in more heated pools of ground water to surface and evidence of volcanic activity as you will be able to see in the background.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
This is a great place to visit and I highly recommend everyone going here to view the springs and soak in the mineral baths.
 |
| Baker Hot Springs, Utah |
0 comments