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.

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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.

Happy Trails!

Rating: A-
pH: 7

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Penny Hot Springs in the Boise National Forest

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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.

View Complete Listing for Penny Hot Springs in Idaho on IHS

I spent a beautiful evening hiking and soaking tonight. Crossed the shallow river and climbed to the rebuilt top pool at Rocky. Enjoyed the warm water and stars as they became more visible with the setting sun. It is not how it was, but I am thankful that I am able to soak in these waters that run freely out of the earth. There is a smaller middle pool that is shallow and slow moving. At the bottom near the log is a large pool that is lukewarm at best. When I was up this summer someone had done a remodeling job complete with carpet in the bottom pool. When I visited last month, someone had pulled the disgusting piece of flooring out and carried it across the river. I found it sitting on the bank and was happy to find it a new home, far away from the hot spring. With the changes at Rocky, I have noticed more trash and not as much respect for this amazing place. If you wander up this river or others to enjoy a hot spring or much needed escape, please carry out what you bring in and maybe a few extras if found.

Molly DeVinaspre
Ocean Artista
Art is way to explore myself, the world around me, and sources of creativity in a deeper way. I enjoy immersing myself in the creative as well as the occasional hot spring, ocean, river or lake.

Boise National Forest : Trail 419

Trail Talk : Trail 419 Boise National Forest from HSG on Vimeo.

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View the complete listing for Trail Creek Hot Springs on IHS

I’ve started a new habit at the hot springs, pH testing!

Here’s Molly’s Hot Spring

And, Holdover Hot Springs

Vulcan’s Pool Cave-In

The Rundown

The sole pool at Molly’s has been reconstructed, complete with valves for hot and hotter (no cold!!!). The pool at Vulcan is indeed gone, but great potential remains. And, Holdover is barley surviving spring runoff in addition to heavy road construction access restrictions.

Area forest service roads that provide access to all 3 hot springs are currently under construction. Plus, the Warm Lake Highway (FSR 22) is experiencing a surge in motorcycle traffic due to the opening of a biker bar on Warm Lake.

Read the full trip reports:

• Molly’s Hot Spring
• Vulcan Hot Springs
• Holdover Hot Springs

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This video is from a recent trip to the Boise National Forest, northeast of Cascade, Idaho.

Filmed shortly after the famed pools went up in 2007 (which were dismantled recently), behold the glory of Rocky Canyon Hot Springs.

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Sadly, the log-dammed pool at mighty Vulcan is no-more due to a wildfire that rampaged the area. In fact, the entire surrounding area has been closed for the last 3 seasons due to wildfire restoration efforts. Basically, the wildfire super-heated the earth around Vulcan… flattening the area where the old log-dammed pool used to snugly fit. New pool designs will have to be creative to say the least.

The video below shows Vulcan in all of its former glory, in addition to the surrounding area – which has since mostly burned.

More Vulcan Hot Springs

• Vulcan Pictures
• Vulcan Blog Posts
• Vulcan on IHS