What more can I say that hasn’t already been said about Kirkham Hot Springs? Which is excellent, in terms of textile soaking. When driving past the full pullout for Skinnydipper on the way in, I noticed that even the pullouts before and after were akin to overflow parking. Pine Flats and Hot Springs campground had a couple vehicles and sole campers each. Timing for Kirkham was just right, as four groups of people all left upon approach. Two other groups pulled-up and parked as my ride sped off down highway 21, long after a great soak was had.
Minimal trash was a welcome surprise and all people encountered were of the friendly lot. There was about four pools prime for soaking. The largest pool had some nice depth to it as well. Watching the sun set and moon rise from the hot springs was the icing on the cake.
Sadly, just like the rest of Idaho and the northwest, there was a severe lack of snow evident for this time of the year. It practically looked like September outside. Unless paramount snowfall occurs, this summer will see a multitude of wildfires.
You never know what you might find when visiting Skinnydipper Hot Springs, northeast of Boise. Good, bad… ugly?
Getting up before dawn is never easy. However, when you are after Skinnydipper it is a must, IMHO. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise through a dimly lit forest while soaking in a natural hot springs.
I really like that my cell phone doesn’t work out here. I like that questions about wi-fi in nearby towns draw nothing but a brow raise. Getting away from it all really makes it easier to have a relationship with nature… and reconnect with yourself.
I don’t like hiking through a beautiful forest along a trail littered with beer cans and cigs, just to arrive at a pristine hot springs to find glass beer bottles and more of the same. Glass just sucks all the way around. People make mistakes, people get drunk, glass gets broken and goes into the pools… we all lose. Some of the news folk that read this blog need to remember this lesson, that’s right, I’ve seen your Facebook pics. No worries, just remember for next time.
Cleanup wasn’t that bad, only one (very full) bag’s worth. The funny thing is the Jackholes only trashed the lower party pool, which clocked in at a meek 89 degrees. There was absolutely no evidence of Jackholes at the upper pool, which had recently fashioned valves attached to hot and cold pipes for attaining optimal soaking conditions. It looks like those idiots soaked in cool waters, heh. High Five, Karma.
I ran into a friendly soaker post ‘qualifying’ the upper pool for a couple hours, who volunteered to hike out with the trash bag after expressing gratitude for picking it all up. There’s a first time for everything, I was quite impressed.
Needless to say, just like in real life, every segment of the population has some bad apples. Same goes at Skinnydipper. Mostly good, some not so good.
Important to note:
Lock up your vehicle and hide any left behind gear, Jackholes have been known for theft and vandalism here. Just this last visit, there was freshly broken windshield glass visible in the pullout, which looked like originated from 2-4 vehicles.
Don’t bring glass, and please pick up all trash you come across. As a rule of thumb, keep two extra sacks in your backpack.
Be wary that the hike up to the hot springs is relatively steep with jagged switchbacks. I wouldn’t advise this hike for small children unless you are equipped. Much unlike the two Mothers I witnessed, each with a 3 y/o with sandals and flip flops on. I would also advise that many people soak in the buff here (hence all of the Bare warning signs), if you are not ok with your kids baring witness, nearby Hot Springs, Pine Flats, Kirkham and Bonneville Campgrounds each have hot springs that are easier to access and are much more suitable for children.
Remember too, most hot springers are of the friendly lot, give them respect unless you are given a clear reason not to.
Welcome to Penny Hot Springs, 3 hot springs sources located in the Boise National Forest NE of Cascade, Idaho and NW of Warm Lake, Idaho. Only 1 of the 3 is a good soak. There is also a bonus hot springs in the Payette National Forest at the end of the clip.
Aside from the guy asleep sitting up in his flatbed pickup in the parking area (been there minus the flatbed), the trip was fairly uneventful. No trash too!! I was really happy about this fact after the rampage I witnessed here during the July South Fork Payette River fishing destruction derby. Major Kudos to the Krassel work crews for taking good care of such a special place.
“Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” by John Muir
