Saturday, May 5, 2012

"Squeaky's Swimming Hole"

Dear friend of the Evilist SUMMER SWANN has graciously allowed Patty to share these photos that she took at The Family's famous swimming hole near Spahn Ranch in Chatsworth. Summer calls it "Squeaky's Swimming Hole," and says it's not a difficult hike to get there. However, since not a lot of people know exactly where it is, most of the time you can enjoy it privately or with a good friend or three.
Below: Summer poses by a tree that looks a lot like the one in the High Places video (you can see that here: http://www.shft.com/watching/high-places-altos-lugares/)
Channeling the essence of Squeaky in the swimming hole.
Thank you for allowing us to share. You Rock!





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39 comments:

  1. orwhutMay 6, 2012 at 12:27 AM

    Is this the swimming hole shown in the Hendrickson film? If so, is Summer standing up in it? When watching the '73 movie, I got the impression it was shallow.

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  2. Patty is DeadMay 6, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    Hey whut. Patty wonders the same thing and suspects that it has something to do with the camera angles being different. Summer?

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  3. sunset77May 6, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Apparently, there was more than 1 stream used by the family and filmed by Hendrickson.

    In "Inside the Manson Gang" Hendrickson says, "This morning we are going to Manson's favorite but secret place, Devils Canyon". They drive there (I guess from Spahn) in Hendrickson's pick up truck. They hike up the creek a ways and then swim in a pool. I recognize Bruce, Clem, Sue Bartell, and Gypsy, there are others there.

    This pool appears very similar to the pics sent by "Summer". Creeks change over 40 years, I'd say there is a very good chance this is the same pool but I don't know for sure.

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  4. summerswannMay 6, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    Yes, it's the same as the one in the Hendrikson film...it IS a drive from Spahn, it would take quite a while to walk, though not impossible by any means.

    The swimming hole is in a small slot canyon...this one is at the very bottom...there are one or two other, smaller swimming holes up the canyon.

    No, I am not standing up...it is the deepest I've ever seen it right now...thanks to some rain recently. Usually it's not nearly as deep. It's a great spot! I'm going again today, want to take advantage of it before the water level goes down!

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  5. summerswannMay 6, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Oh, Patty, that is not the tree from the "high places" video...the high places tree is up near Bruce's car. I'll take a pic of it for you next time I'm up there...which will probably be soon :)

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  6. orwhutMay 6, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Thanks to all, for clearing things up concerning the swimming holes.

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  7. orwhutMay 6, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Summer,
    You're a real asset to have around.
    I seem to remember a small waterfall, is it at the stream in the photos?

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    Replies
    1. AimlessInLAApril 6, 2022 at 7:58 PM

      There was (is?) definitely a waterfall; it was mentioned a few times in the trial testimony.

      It's surprising that there could even be swimming holes and a waterfall at what is otherwise usually a very dry location.

      Delete
  8. PURPLEMay 6, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    Wow beautiful pics, I really hope you enjoy your new swim Summer, or I could say summer swim Swann? As its technically Summer now. But thats getting towards Limerick. If we all get what we deserve in life/death then this looks like paradise.

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  9. summerswannMay 6, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    There is a small waterfall at this spot...though there is a larger waterfall up stream a tiny bit...there is footage of the family in that spot...it was probably their go-to spot as it generally stay's full for much longer than the bigger swimming hole I am in. I'm sure the family spent time all throughout that little slot canyon.

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  10. PURPLEMay 6, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    Now you're at the wheel,
    Tell me how, how does it feel?
    So good to have equalized,
    To lift up the lids of your eyes..

    She'll carry on through it all, she's a waterfall.

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  11. rfoster1May 6, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Some beautiful photographs! Who was/is the photographer? I love the black and white shots!

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  12. AnonymousMay 6, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    These are really great pics, and the subject does them much justice in my opinion...

    :)

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  13. orwhutMay 6, 2012 at 6:02 PM

    summerswann said... There is a small waterfall at this spot.

    Thanks again. Have a nice swim.

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  14. evilizMay 7, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Thank you again for sharing Summer.
    The pics are awesome.

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  15. sunset77May 7, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Just a word of warning for anyone messing around Spahn Ranch, here is a video of an English woman visiting Tuscon Arizona bitten by a rattlesnake:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpcDZbXslfw

    ReplyDelete
  16. summerswannMay 7, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    If anyone is "messing around" ANYWHERE between the months of April and September they just need to A) Stay on the trail, B) Keep their eyes open, alert and on the ground. C) Be extra careful when around rocks and boulders as this is where rattlers gerneraly like to sun themselves and D) not mess with the damn snake, they are not toys. For the most part a rattler will retreat from humans rather than strike, unless they are stepped on or quickly approached, hence the remaining alert etc. I don't want the fear of being bitten by a rattler scaring people off from getting outdoors and into nature because it's pretty unlikely that it will happen.

    rfoster1: I took the photos myself...thank goodness for tripods and automatic timers!

    Liz-no problem, any photos I have I'm willing to share!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 4, 2018 at 4:40 PM

      My avid backpacker mother..God bless her soul....pointed rattles are really cool cause they're the only ones who say...HEY RATTLE RATTLE I'M RIGHT HERE PLEASE DON'T STEP ON ME

      Delete
  17. Patty is DeadMay 7, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    Statistics show that most snakebites occur whn adult, drunken males are involved. Some kind of macho thing to f**k with the snake, Patty supposes.

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  18. A.C. Fisher AldagMay 7, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Why the need to destroy everything in nature, Sunset 77?

    Rattlesnakes have the use of eating vermin.

    God gave them rattles, fangs and venom to protect them from humans.

    ReplyDelete
  19. orwhutMay 7, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    Panamint Patty said... f**k with the snake

    Hey Patty,

    I saw a couple of snakes doing that one time. True story.:-)

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  20. Patty is DeadMay 7, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Patty hopes you did not F**K with it, Whut. ;)

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  21. Staceey L. May 7, 2012 at 9:31 PM

    I'm hoping to visit the swimming hole w/ Summer soon. Don't worry you won't see pics of me swimming, summer doesn't have a wide enough lens.

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  22. summerswannMay 7, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    Stop it Stacey!

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  23. orwhutMay 8, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    Panamint Patty said...

    Patty hopes you did not F**K with it, Whut. ;)

    I took their picture. They didn't even seem to be embarrassed.

    ReplyDelete
  24. SuzeMay 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Incredible pictures. Love the black and white photography! I don't know where you guys found Summer but NICE JOB!

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  25. Staceey L. May 8, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    I picked her up at a flea market.

    I'm kidding. Summer is my best friend. We met at work when for some reason Susan Atkins was brought up and we both realized we knew way too much about this.

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  26. evilizMay 8, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Stacey L. said...
    I picked her up at a flea market.

    I met her thru Jesus at El Coyote in the ladies room.

    ReplyDelete
  27. summerswannMay 8, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    Stacey, I thought you were saying you picked up fleas from me...hmmm...

    And Liz...it's a good thing Jesus and I are such good friends, otherwise he wouldn't have introduced us!

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  28. Staceey L. May 8, 2012 at 11:21 PM

    I picked up the fleas from your dog.

    ReplyDelete
  29. summerswannMay 9, 2012 at 12:01 AM

    I am more likely to have to fleas than Zero is. Zero is clean as a little dog can be!

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  30. British South Africa CompanyMay 9, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    Is this before the turn off to the rocketdyne road or after it? Or rather where is it in relation to the Rocky Peak church area?

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  31. rfoster1May 9, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Snakes won't bother you if you don't bother them. Do some reading and learn about the shelter they prefer and stay out of those places. Being coldblooded creatures, they will come out in the open and sun themselves to warm up early in the day. During the hottest part of the day, they will hide in shade wherever they can find it, under logs, rocks, in crevices, etc. During the early evening, they will hang out in the open on heat soaked rocky ledges, or on the sides of asphalt roads. They hunt at night util their body temp gets too low, then the become sluggish.

    Spiders, on the other hand, I can do without. They give me the creeps.

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  32. UnknownMay 3, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    Where can I find or hike to this swimming hole from the Church area. Is this anywhere close to the corner of Santa Susana and Iverson towards the dry creek?

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  33. MattMay 3, 2014 at 5:03 PM

    Marcus, email me & I'll hook you up with someone that can help you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. stoner van houtenJune 14, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    i know at the top of desoto ..is where some of the hendrickison film was filmed...that scence where bruce davis is in the waterfall with a girl..ive been there...is that the same area as ''reds'' swimming hole..????

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  35. UnknownApril 29, 2019 at 8:47 AM

    Is their anyone who can help me get information as to where exactly this spot is? I've searched all up and down devil canyon in vein, and I'm starting to think maybe I'm searching in the wrong area. If anyone has any leads or useful info to help me find this swimming hole please let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Bryan SchroatOctober 5, 2019 at 11:46 AM

    Is this the same one also known as Gypsy's waterfall? Off Desoto in Chatsworth?

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  37. Bryan SchroatOctober 5, 2019 at 11:49 AM

    Is this the same one known as Gypsy's waterfall? Off of Desoto in Chatsworth? If not, could you please give some directions? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete