Grover Hot Springs State Park is located on the east side
of the Sierra at the edge of the Great Basin Province, characterized by open
pine forest, and sagebrush and meadows. The park has a pool complex with a hot
pool and a swimming pool hot springs, a campground, picnic area and hiking
trails.
A full range of seasons and weather offer the visitor the opportunity to
experience a variety of conditions, from major blizzards to dry scorchers, from
warm clear nights to intense, blasting thunderstorms. Winds of great speeds are
capable of whipping through the park causing damage during any month of the
year. Pristine clear, warm days can be followed by cold stormy nights.
Proper preparation for the full range of potential conditions can make a visit
to the park not only safe and warm but also dry and comfortable.
Location-Directions
Located four miles west of Markleeville, at the end of Hot Springs Road, the
park is in an alpine meadow and pine forest at 5,900 feet surrounded by peaks
that just top 10,000 feet.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
The temperature can vary greatly over the course of a year and even during the
course of a month.
Winter months generally fall into three types of weather patterns.
Clear and very cold: -5 to 20 degrees F.
Light to very heavy snow storms: 22 to 34 degrees F.
Sleet and rain at higher temperatures and clear or partly cloudy and rather
warm: 35 to 50 degrees F.
There may be one to four feet of snow on the ground.
Late Spring and early Summer are the best weather months with very clear skies
and warm to hot days, 66 to 95 degrees F., with cool to cold nights 24 to 45
degrees F.
Later Summer features very warm mornings, 68 to 83 degrees F., with afternoon
thunder storms and comfortable to slightly cool evenings, 31 to 45 degrees F.
Fall is progressively cooling with mildly warm days, 45 to 77 degrees F., and
freezing nights 20 to 36 degrees F. and increasing storm activity towards
winter.
Early Fall storms are can be rain, turning to or snow later in the year.
Why are the Hot Springs Green?
The main reason for the color is the mineral deposits on the bottom of the pool.
These mineral deposits are laid down on the surface of the paint by an oxidation
reaction between the mineral salts in the water and the sanitizing agent
(Bromine) used.
When the pool is viewed from some distance, rather than from directly overhead,
the light that is reflected from the bottom loses certain wavelengths that are
absorbed by the various color patterns on the bottom. The remaining light waves
then pass back up through the water and are reflected at the surface. This
reflected light is in the yellow-green wavelengths of the spectrum.
When are the Hot Springs Closed?
The pool complex is generally open every day from June through August. From
September through May the pool hours and days of operation vary. Please call
ahead for current operating hours (530) 694-2249 – this may save you an
unnecessary trip.
The pools are closed for facility and pool maintenance during two weeks in
September each year. Please call the park for closure dates.
The pool complex is also closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Days.
Finally the pools must close during nearby thunderstorms due to the possibility
of lightning striking the water. Thunderstorms usually occur during the
afternoon hours in the summer months of July and August. If thunderstorms are
predicted by the National Weather Service for the Northern Sierra Nevada, then
Grover may be affected.
During the winter, when snow is covering the ground, the pool complex will
usually remain open. It may be closed during severe snow storms, and high
accumulations of snow on the roads. The roads are generally plowed during the
winter, but always carry snow chains and a shovel when traveling in the Sierras
during the winter. Contact a weather service and Caltrans for conditions before
departing.
Telephone:
General Information
530-694-2248
Pool Information
530-694-2249
Operating Hours:
Open year-round.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. |
