A Bob Ross Like Morning At Wild Willy Hot Springs In Mammoth, CA
No matter what, soreness sets in while living on the road. Between sitting in one place for hours driving to pushing my bodies limits while exploring whatever landscape surrounds me, at the end of everyday, I find I’m sore. No matter how much yoga I do or the number of rest days I take, soreness is omnipresent. So, when Andrew Muse suggested we take a morning and hit the hot springs outside of Mammoth, CA along Highway 395, I wasn’t going to complain.
About a month before this, Andrew and I had met up to work on a collaboration project for the release of the Ford Bronco Ambassador program. Andrew was one of the ambassadors and I was the filmmaker & photographer hired to create the promo assets for the launch. With manufacturing delays on the Broncos, we were bound stateside for about a month, so Andrew and I decided to road trip along Highway 395 in California before starting the project for Ford in Baja, Mexico. After several days hiking, climbing, and paddle-boarding we decided it was finally time to take a rest day and catch up on some edits. Which catches us back up to this morning.
Before the sun rose, we had our shorts on, bags packed, and towels slung over our shoulder. Andrew has the behemoth Muse Roamer that allows for a very plush life on the road, meanwhile I have modest comforts with a converted van. So, I crawled out of the van and headed into the heated Muse Roamer to enjoy coffee to wait for the best lighting.
Just before the sky started to pop off, we left the warmth of the heated Muse Roamer and headed into the chilly fall mornings in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. If I were to guess, it was 36 to 39f outside, but without a thermometer, nobody will know. I can say, everything was frosted over and walking barefooted with very uncomfortable.
This morning, we were going to photograph a short photo essay for Klean Kanteen and Visit Mammoth centered around Wild Willy Hot Springs. For those of you who haven’t been along this stretch of highway, let me paint a Bob Ross styled painting for you all.
Grand mountains surround our campsite as far as the eyes can see. Plumes of steam from the hot springs rise into the early morning. Little shrubs make up the flora as well as the rolling hills in Owen’s Valley. This volcanic heated land attracts outdoor people alike; skiers, rock climbers, trail runners, bikers (the kind who pedal), and those who enjoy a stroll through the woods with a backpack. The early morning colors of reds and oranges make your jaw drop, meanwhile the glowing yellow sunsets calm the soul as the mountains cast their shadows upon you.
Sunrise from the parking lot of Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
One of the many peaks in the surrounding area reflected in a seasonal pool of mineral water. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Andrew and his dog, Kicker, walk to the hot springs in Mammoth, CA under a spectacular sunrise. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
The long walk to the hot springs under the colorful sky of a California morning. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
While the color in the sky has faded, the hot spring of Wild WIlly’s are calling our names. Especially with the bonus of nobody else being here. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Andrew testing the water and Kicker keeping a close eye on his Dad. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Andrew contemplating life, or searching for ski lines in the distance. Andrew grew in popularity as a professional snowboarder before hurting himself. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Staying hydrated while in a hot spring is key, so always pack a water bottle. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Rarely can you get these hot springs to yourself, but somehow Andrew and I scored this morning. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
That longing look from Kicker letting Andrew know he wants to join and be closer to his Dad. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Kicker Dog letting Andrew know he wants to join in the soaking. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Andrew and Kicker are inseparable, these two have traveled the world together and I don’t see that stopping any time soon. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Steam rolling off the main pools of Wild Willy Hot Spring and I utilize a long exposure to capture the moving water. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
As the morning photoshoot with Andrew comes to a close and I can finally settle into the hot spring, pour myself a cup of hot tea, and relax for now. We will have the rest of the day to edit images and deliver to our clients, but then we will have to pack up our rigs and start heading back to San Diego to pick up the Ford Bronco and begin our project south of the border.
A celebratory cheers to a morning photo shoot done well. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
