Springs At Tecolote Tunnel
Springs at Tecolote Tunnel flows at 93 degrees in what administrative records list as Harney County, California, though the location actually sits in southeastern Oregon near Hines. The spring provides water 45.7 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature of 47.3 degrees in the high desert.
The spring emerges at 4,743 feet elevation in the vast sagebrush plains of the Great Basin, where low precipitation (13.7 inches annually) and cold winters (34.5 inches of snow) create a stark, open landscape. Pools form in the surrounding terrain, surrounded by sparse desert vegetation and distant fault-block mountains.
The spring's name references a tunnel in the region's mining or irrigation history. Despite its California administrative designation, the location places it clearly in Oregon, representing either a historical boundary confusion or archival filing error. The geothermal activity reflects the Basin and Range province's extensive heat flow.
Despite administrative confusion, the spring remains accessible via a short walk from the road. Winter snows make summer and early fall the best visiting seasons. The remote location receives minimal foot traffic, offering solitude in the high desert landscape characteristic of southeastern Oregon.
Is Springs At Tecolote Tunnel worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking