Page 70 - 1915, Springs of CA.

66 SPRINGS OF CALIFORNIA.
is a patch a few yards in diameter about 25 yards east of the main
spring at Wheelers Hot Springs. At this place crystals of sulphur,
alum, and probably Epsom salt are mingled with shale, but a hard
conglomerate ledge is exposed near by. The waters differ widely in
character and may differ in origin, though the differences in character
may be accounted for on the assumption that the waters pass through
shales and sandstones of different composition.
The group including Vickers, Stingleys, Matilija, and Wheelers
springs is in a region of sandstones and shales. These rocks are
steeply inclined and have been subjected to great pressure.
It may be that the abnormal temperatures of the waters in this
region are due hi part to chemical action of the minerals within the
shales, but hi such a region of s.teeply inclined beds the underground
temperature is probably abnormally high.
SESPE HOT SPRINGS (VENTTJEA 1).
In the canyon of Sespe Creek, about 20 miles in a direct line north-
east of Matilija Canyon, hot water issues from at least four groups of
springs. These are situated on the bank above the creek and also in
the gravel wash of the stream bed. The highest temperature noted
here was 191° hi a spring that issues on the steep slope, about 15 feet
above the creek bed. The springs on the bank ispue from fissures in
partially decomposed granitic material that is here exposed beneath
crushed shale for 300 or 400 yards.
Although a fault has not been mapped at this locality, the San
Andreas fault line passes about 15 miles northward,'and the fractured
condition of the rocks at the Sespe springs indicates that subsidiary
f aulting has taken place.
The springs are best reached by road and trail from FiUmore, a
small town on the railroad, 23 miles southward, and are visited by a
few campers and deer hunters during the summer months.

WARM SPRINGS IN ELIZABETH LAKE CANYON (LOS ANGELES 1).
In Elizabeth Lake Canyon, about 25 miles east of the Sespe springs,
there is a small group of thermal springs. They are not of high
temperature nor notable flow, however, and are seldom visited. The
San Andreas fault line is mapped as passing about 8 miles north of
these springs, and its proximity suggests that the existence of the
warm water may be due to subsidiary fracturing of the rocks where it
issues.
MONTECITO HOT SPRINGS (SANTA BARBARA 7).
Montecito Hot Springs are situated about 5 miles northeast of
Santa Barbara, hi a canyon on the steep mountain side. At this
place 11 separate springs may be counted, which issue from seams in