Dirty Socks Spring, Natural spring near Olancha, United States.
Dirty Socks Spring is a natural warm water spring near Olancha with a round pool that maintains a comfortable temperature. The water flows from this pool into an adjacent pond located at the edge of Owens Lake.
In the 1920s developers built a cement pool and facilities at the spring, attempting to create a resort destination. The project ultimately failed and was eventually abandoned.
The spring earned its name from miners who used the location to wash their work socks in the mineral-rich waters.
The spring sits just 300 yards from California State Route 190, making it reasonably easy to access by car. Basic facilities are located several miles away, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring what they need.
The water naturally smells of sulfur, revealing the mineral-rich composition beneath the surface. This distinct odor is part of what makes the spring easy to recognize when you approach it.
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