TecopaCetic
Heard Around Town: Artful and Deceptive
On our most recent rainy day, March 13th, Tecopa received 0.20 inches of precipitation at the Tecopa CEMP station, bringing the total for March to 0.35 inches and for February to 0.59 inches. While the area remains in a significant long-term rain deficit, the past 30 days have brought 1 inch of rain, or about…
Hot Springs Etiquette in Tecopa: How Nudity and Showering First Protects the Amargosa River
Hot springs have long been revered for their therapeutic and spiritual benefits, from Japan’s ancient onsen culture to Iceland’s steamy geothermal lagoons. These natural baths provide relaxation, healing, and a connection to the earth’s mineral-rich waters. Yet, despite their tranquil allure, many newcomers overlook an essential etiquette rule: showering before soaking. In Tecopa, California—home to…
A Desert Oasis or a Destination in Decline? TripAdvisor Reviews Reveal Mixed Experiences in Tecopa Hot Springs
Nestled in the vast Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, has long been known for its natural hot springs, remote beauty, and star-studded night skies. Once a well-kept secret among desert wanderers and hot spring enthusiasts, Tecopa has drawn visitors seeking tranquility, rejuvenation, and a break from the modern world. However, traveler reviews paint a more complex picture…
Southern Inyo Fire Board Works on Long-Term Plans Amid Delays and Recruitment Challenges
The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) board convened to address long-term planning efforts on March 13, including recruitment efforts and two key fire station projects in the works. One project involves a new station in Tecopa Heights, while the other focuses on a new substation in Charleston View. Both projects have received grant funding…
Failure to Protect: The Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and the Neglect of a Desert Ecosystem
The Amargosa Valley, a rugged and starkly beautiful desert straddling the California-Nevada border, is a region of historical significance and ecological fragility. Home to the rare Amargosa vole and the unique hydrology of the Amargosa River, this area has long been a focal point for conservation efforts. Despite its designation as a Wild and Scenic…
National Parks in Crisis: Job Cuts, Budget Freezes, and the Fight for Public Lands
A storm is brewing across America’s national parks, but it’s not just the weather causing concern—it’s the deepening crisis of budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the struggle to maintain some of the country’s most cherished landscapes. In the latest wave of terminations, Death Valley National Park, Great Basin National Park, and Lake Mead National Recreation…
Heard Around Town: Change, Yet the Same
Deb Fox Reveals the 130-Year Struggle to Define the California-Nevada Border at Shoshone Museum At a captivating talk on Saturday at the Shoshone Museum, author and historian Deborah A. Fox unveiled the fascinating and often absurd story behind the 130-year journey to legally define the California-Nevada border. Fox shared how wealthy young men, funded by…
Community Rallies to Protect Ash Meadows as Amargosa Conservancy Launches Major Restoration Projects
In a significant show of support for environmental protection, the Amargosa Valley recently hosted a powerful public rally and meeting aimed at securing the future of Ash Meadows. The event, held on February 27 at the Amargosa Valley Community Center, brought together local residents, conservationists, and key stakeholders to voice their unified support for a…
Heard Around Town: Water is Life
False spring has arrived in Tecopa. February’s warmth has set the frogs singing in the hot springs district, while green shoots push through the burn-scarred meadow surrounding Borehole Spring—a testament to nature’s resilience. A meeting will be held at the Tecopa Community Center on March 2, 5pm, to discuss the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit…
Heard Around Town: Under the Full Moon
It was a week of both devastation and renewal in Tecopa, marked by the luminous presence of a full moon. Our cherished Borehole Spring was ravaged by fire, with over 9 acres burned. “A BLM Fire investigation is ongoing, with no obvious source of ignition determined from physical evidence,” reports the Amargosa Conservancy, intimating that…
Save the Vole: Borehole Spring BLM Lawsuit Explained
In a legal battle aimed at protecting one of North America’s most endangered mammals, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit in 2022 against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for failing to take necessary action to protect the Amargosa vole and its critical habitat at Borehole Spring in the Mojave Desert.…
Fire Devastates Borehole Spring, Endangered Amargosa Vole Habitat
A devastating wildfire broke out at Borehole Spring near Tecopa, California, overnight on February 11, inflicting catastrophic damage to the hot spring which is also a delicate wetland habitat of the endangered and endemic Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis). The fire consumed a significant area of critical bulrush habitat surrounding the spring, posing a severe…
Exploring Dumont Dunes: An Off-Road Enthusiast’s Paradise
Nestled just over 20 miles south of Tecopa, the Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area is a sanctuary for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Spanning an impressive 7,620 acres of public land, this Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) offers an unparalleled blend of heart-pounding OHV experiences, breathtaking desert landscapes, and opportunities for primitive camping…
Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Will Not Enforce Federal Immigration Laws
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on January 30, ten days after the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, to reassure residents that enforcing federal immigration laws is not within their local law enforcement duties. Their primary focus, they emphasize, is safeguarding the community and fostering trust between law enforcement and the…
Local Environmentalists Profiled in The New York Times Magazine
Our little corner of the world was covered in the New York Times Magazine recently. The article “Nevada’s Lithium Could Help Save the Earth. But What Happens to Nevada?” was published on January 24, 2025 and written by Meg Bernhard, a writer based in Las Vegas (who also wrote this profile of Wonderhussy). The sub-headline…
Celebrating the Resilience of Death Valley Women: A Documentary Screening
On a recent crisp afternoon in Shoshone, California, a crowd gathered around the Flower Building at the Shoshone Museum for the premiere screening of The Women Who Haunt Her, a new documentary by filmmaker Ted Faye. Known for his Weird Tales series, Faye’s latest work focuses on the lives of three remarkable women who helped shape the…
What to do Before and After a Power Outage
A power pole caught fire near Death Valley Brewing, while another on Highway 127 emitted alarming sparks on Sunday morning, plunging Tecopa into its second 24-hour blackout in a week. The prolonged outage left residents grappling with yet another disruption to their daily lives. Recent windstorms across Southern California have caused widespread power outages, leaving…
Local Communities and Tribal Members Secure Mineral Withdrawal to Protect Ash Meadows and Amargosa Valley
Federal Action to Safeguard Sacred Lands and Water Resources The federal government has initiated the mineral withdrawal process for approximately 308,890 acres of public land in Nevada’s Amargosa Valley. This action temporarily halts new mining claims in the area, allowing for a two-year review of the valley’s ecosystems, groundwater reserves, and culturally significant landscapes. The…
Discovering Tecopa’s Mining Heritage
Nestled in the arid landscape of Southern California’s Mojave Desert, Tecopa holds a rich history deeply rooted in mining. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this small desert town emerged as a vital hub for extracting silver, lead, and zinc. The discovery of abundant ore deposits in the surrounding mountains sparked a mining…
Heard Around Town: Power Struggles
Despite the high winds finally dying down, it was a rough week in Tecopa and Shoshone as temperatures plummeted into the low 20s and the power went out for nearly 25 hours on Monday, January 20 into Tuesday, January 21. Southern California Edison updated residents twice on repair work during the day, with an initial…
Biden Establishes Two New Monuments in California, Foreshadowing Amargosa Basin
At one of the final White House ceremonies in President Joe Biden’s term, the president highlighted the dedication of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments as part of his administration’s broader environmental agenda. He underscored the significance of protecting culturally and ecologically valuable land in California, emphasizing its importance for biodiversity, climate resilience, and honoring…
Heard Around Town: High Winds and Hot Soaks
It was a windy one with the Santa Ana winds blowing through town for a few days starting on Tuesday, January 7. Tecopa had two short power outages during that afternoon when gusts were forecasted in the high 30s. But as Dan Leseberg noted on Facebook, “It’s not windy in Tecopa unless someone loses a…
Commission Approves $7.8M Active Transportation Corridor Project for Tecopa
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has officially approved the Active Transportation Program staff recommendations for the Connecting Tecopa: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Corridor project, a significant initiative aimed at improving transportation safety in the rural communities of Tecopa and Tecopa Hot Springs by establishing bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The approved project will establish a 2.9-mile active transportation…
Airbnb and ChatGPT Walk into a Town
The signs along Tecopa Hot Springs Road communicate many things – hot rejuvenating waters! Or our new favorite, $399/night with two night minimum, yikes! So we decided to ask ChatGPT to summarize what our local Airbnbers are peddling on their digital signs – aka their actual listings and visitor reviews. Here is what the AI…
Heard Around Town
Welcome to our first edition, where we share what we’ve heard around town. Party People There will be a Community Healing Solstice Party on December 20 starting at 4pm at Thelma and Louise, all are welcome. Bring chairs, firewood, blankets, beverages, snacks, and your unique self. Tecopa Takeover once again featured local favorites MEGA-SCOPES, but…
Residents Rejoice: State Route 127 To Reopen
Residents of Tecopa, Shoshone and businesses across the area rejoiced at the news that came in over email from Caltrans late last Friday evening: State Route 127 to Baker has a reopening date: December 4. The date is still technically tentative, as weather could still postpone it. The opening is also a partial one –…
Healing Waters: Exploring the Benefits of Soaking in Tecopa’s Hot Springs
Visit our Borehole Spring page to learn more. Nestled in the arid beauty of the Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, boasts a hidden gem that has been cherished for centuries—the therapeutic hot springs that grace this unique landscape. Beyond their natural allure, these hot springs offer a plethora of physical, mental, and even spiritual benefits to…
Surviving and Thriving: Best Practices for Camping in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert, with its vast expanses of arid landscapes and unique ecosystems, presents both challenges and opportunities for those seeking to camp and connect with nature. As a region known for its extreme temperatures and diverse terrain, proper preparation and adherence to best practices are essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.…
A Desert Escape: Easy Road Trips to Tecopa from Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Tucked away in the vast and serene landscapes of the Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city life. The ease of accessibility from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas makes it a perfect destination for a rejuvenating road trip. Whether you’re seeking the therapeutic embrace of hot springs, the rugged…
Unveiling the Serenity: Best Practices for Hot Spring Soaking
Immersing oneself in the warm embrace of a hot spring is a therapeutic experience that has been cherished across cultures for centuries. As more people seek the tranquility of natural hot springs, the question of whether to soak au naturel arises. Navigating this communal bathing experience with the grace and respect it deserves is essential…
Guardians of the Desert: Southern Inyo Fire Protection District in Tecopa
In the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert, where arid landscapes meet the boundless sky, the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) stands as a crucial guardian of the community in Tecopa, California. This dedicated team of firefighters not only safeguards lives and property but also plays a vital role in preserving the delicate balance…
The New Yorker On Death Valley
The article titled “The Queen of the Desert” by Alex Ross, published on January 4, 2022, in The New Yorker, discusses Susan Sorrells and her transformative role in the small village of Shoshone, located in the Mojave Desert. Sorrells, the chief custodian of Shoshone, owns the village and surrounding land, dedicating her efforts to preserving…
Unveiling the Serenity: Borehole Hot Spring in Tecopa
Visit our Borehole Spring page to learn more. Nestled amid the rugged beauty of the Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, is home to a hidden oasis that beckons seekers of relaxation and natural tranquility – Borehole Spring. This unique geothermal gem, cradled within the desert landscape of Tecopa on Bureau of Land Management land, offers visitors…
Tecopa, California: A Desert Oasis with a Rich History
Nestled in the vast and arid landscapes of southeastern California, Tecopa is a small desert community with a history as unique and captivating as its surroundings. This oasis in the Mojave Desert has witnessed the passage of time, from the presence of indigenous peoples to the challenges of early settlers and the development of a…