Twin (Vya) Spring

Modoc County, Nevada · Near Alturas
41.5910°N, 119.8620°W · 5,580 ft
71°F 5,580 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (16.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Twin (Vya) Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Twin (Vya) Spring
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.

Twin Spring, also recorded as Vya Spring, is a barely warm source in Modoc County, with Alturas about thirty-eight miles away. The water is well below body heat, so soaking is off the table. Owner, access status, chemistry, photograph: all four are missing from the file. The record is thin, and what it does hold is mostly climate.

Location

The road, unnamed in the record, stops about five hundred feet short of the spring. Elevation is around fifty-six hundred feet, high country, and winters drop close to five feet of snow. Annual precipitation is moderate. Divine Springs Campground is listed about seventeen miles off. Nothing describes the spring itself, so expect to find out what it looks like when you get there.

The flagged months are the winter ones, which is odd for water this cool. Short walk in. Nobody is on record as owner, so watch for signs. Camping: Divine Springs, the one listing, seventeen miles out. Expect snow on the ground in the recommended season, and a long drive from Alturas.

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 Twin (Vya) Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
179 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, 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 24% 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
26°
Jan
28°
Feb
33°
Mar
41°
Apr
51°
May
61°
Jun
71°
Jul
71°
Aug
62°
Sep
48°
Oct
35°
Nov
25°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.5 in Annual Snow: 54.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 25°F · Water 71°F · +46° contrast
January Air 26°F · Water 71°F · +45° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 71°F · +43° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
S 10.8 mph
Tuesday 72° Low 40° Sunny 1% precip
Wednesday 66° Low 42° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 15% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Thursday 65° Low 42° Slight Chance Rain Showers 16% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Friday 70° Low 41° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 44° Sunny
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Divine Springs Campground 16.7 mi away

Divine springs campground has 5 metal fire ring/bbq pits and tables. A small stream runs through the site, and is fenced off from livestock.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,580 ft

Twin (Vya) Spring sits at 5,580 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
71°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 71°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 46°F
Above Ambient +25°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Twin (Vya) Spring?
Twin (Vya) Spring has a water temperature of 71°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Twin (Vya) Spring located?
Twin (Vya) Spring is located in Modoc County, Nevada at 5,580 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.5910°N, 119.8620°W.
How do I get to Twin (Vya) Spring?
Twin (Vya) Spring has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Twin (Vya) Spring?
Yes, Divine Springs Campground is located nearby (16.7 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS