Huff's Spring, Rocklin, CA 95677

## Overview Huff's Mineral Spring is a historic natural spring located in Johnson Springview Park in Rocklin, California. Named after William Huff, who in 1887 lined the spring with granite blocks and sold its water for 25 cents a serving, this spring has been a local resource and curiosity since the late 19th century. The spring sits on land with deep indigenous roots. Nearly 88 bedrock mortars and approximately four acres of gently sloping terrain provide evidence that this area was once home to many Nisenan people. According to archaeologists Arlean and Norm Towne, the "midden" — a rising slope on the west side of the bedrock mortars — covers the refuse of over 1,500 years of Nisenan seasonal encampments, making this one of the more significant archaeological sites in Placer County. Huff's Spring reportedly gushes around 120 gallons per hour of chilly, clear water through its original granite liner into a tributary of Antelope Creek. One of the spring's most intriguing characteristics is its fluctuating flow: the output reportedly weakens around midday and returns to full strength by evening. Christian Carleton, a Rocklin-based hydrologist who lives nearby, has attributed this phenomenon to deep-rooted oak trees that draw water from the underlying aquifer when the sun is at its peak and transpiration rates are highest. The water has historically been described as highly alkaline — too alkaline for irrigation use — but clear and cool. In the early days of Rocklin's settlement, the spring's water was used to replenish local streams and lakes that had been depleted by the railroads, which hauled water down from Blue Canyon in tank cars. ## Directions 1. Head to **Johnson Springview Park** in Rocklin, CA. The park is located near Springview Middle School. 2. From **5th Street**, look for the footpath to the north of the historic Wickman-Johnson home. 3. Follow the footpath into the park. The spring is situated at the **north end of Johnson Springview Park**, approximately 200 meters east of Springview Middle School's soccer field. 4. **GPS coordinates:** 38.794331, -121.242916 ## What to Expect Visitors will find the spring nestled in a park setting with significant historical and archaeological interest. The granite-lined spring basin, dating back to William Huff's 1887 improvements, channels water into a small tributary of Antelope Creek. The surrounding area features the remarkable collection of nearly 88 bedrock mortars — grinding stones used by the Nisenan people for over a millennium — making this a place where natural history and human history converge. The water flows year-round, though visitors arriving around midday may notice a reduced flow compared to morning or evening visits, due to the unique interaction between the local oak trees and the aquifer. The water is notably alkaline and has historically been used as a drinking water source by early settlers, though water quality can vary over time. The park is accessible on foot from 5th Street and offers a relatively easy walk along established footpaths. The terrain is gently sloping, and the area provides a peaceful spot to explore Rocklin's deep indigenous and pioneer heritage. Keep an eye out for interpretive signage about the Nisenan archaeological site and the spring's colorful history.