Tag Archive for: Beware Cave

The entrance to a cave, unofficially called “Beware Cave,” is marked by an overhang under which springs emerge at the deepest part of Gandy Warm Springs and Warm Creek—almost 4 feet deep. Gandy Warm Springs is a refreshing oasis of tiny waterfalls, pools, caves, and crystal clear streams with water temperatures up to 81 ̊F. Located on the western edge of Snake Valley, near the Nevada border, the springs are at the base of the southern tip of Spring Mountain (also called Gandy Mountain). The spring water that cascades down the slope of Spring Mountain joins a larger spring that emerges from a cave, initiating the eastward-flowing Warm Creek (also called Gandy Creek). Lush green vegetation,  including mosses, watercress, and bright green algae, and animals such as aquatic snails (including the endemic springsnail,Pyrgulopsis saxatilis, found only at Gandy) and the native speckled dace wonderfully stand in stark  contrast to the surrounding dry yellow grasses and desert shrubs. Gandy is a popular spot for locals who use the area for soaking, swimming, and baptisms.