Sellicks Springs

Lassen County, California · Near Johnstonville
40.5680°N, 120.3250°W · 4,477 ft
72°F 42°F air · Good soaking weather 4,477 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (10.4 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Sellicks Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Sellicks Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Sellicks Springs is a lukewarm spring out in Lassen County, a long way from anywhere; Johnstonville, the nearest town in the record, is nineteen miles off. The water is barely above cool. County Road 26024 passes roughly five hundred yards away. No owner and access is on record, and the name is the only thing the record has to say about it.

Location

This is high country, around forty-five hundred feet, with about three feet of snow in an average winter and a dry summer. A short leg on foot from County Road 26024 reaches it. Ramhorn Springs Campground lies ten miles off. The land record is empty, so there is no unit or designation to tell you who manages the ground.

The season on file is deep winter, and at this elevation that brings snow; check road conditions. The water is lukewarm, so the reward for the drive is modest. Ramhorn Springs is the camping, about ten miles. Access is a blank in the record, so look for fences and signs.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Sellicks Springs.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
125 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
86 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 23% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
33°
Jan
36°
Feb
41°
Mar
49°
Apr
57°
May
68°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
67°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
32°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.6 in Annual Snow: 34.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 32°F · Water 72°F · +40° contrast
January Air 33°F · Water 72°F · +39° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 72°F · +36° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
42°F
NE 7.2 mph 46% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 82° Low 41° Sunny 1% precip
Wednesday 75° Low 42° Sunny 4% precip
Thursday 74° Low 41° Sunny 2% precip
Friday 78° Low 42° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 81° Low 44° Sunny
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Ramhorn Springs Campground 10.4 mi away

Ramhorn Springs is a small water source located in a high desert setting that has been utilized by travelers and ranchers for many years. A 10 unit campground has been constructed adjacent to it. The facilities include an informational kiosk, picnic tables, fire rings, trash cans, a horse corral and one vault toilet. The surface in the campground is packed earth and gravel. There is no potable water. There is no fee for the use of the campground but a donation is requested to assist with the...

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road County Road 26024
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sellicks Springs?
Sellicks Springs has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Sellicks Springs located?
Sellicks Springs is located in Lassen County, California at 4,477 feet elevation, near Johnstonville. Coordinates: 40.5680°N, 120.3250°W.
How do I get to Sellicks Springs?
Sellicks Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being County Road 26024 (0.3 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Sellicks Springs?
Yes, Ramhorn Springs Campground is located nearby (10.4 miles away).