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Idaho Hot Springs Access and Condition Updates

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Many thanks to my fellow soak-seekers for sending in the following updates!

The super-soaker at Bonneville Hot Springs near Lowman, Idaho is back in action after being repaired by multiple volunteer groups.
The surrounding landscape at Willow Creek Hot Springs near Pine, Idaho was severely damaged by wildfire in 2008; I recently received word that no soaking pools have resurfaced, and that not much potential remains.
Deadwood Hot Springs has been cleaned and tinkered with a few times. Despite the attempted improvements, a thorough cleaning and adjustment of the source hoses will most likely be required pre-soak. Spend the night or make sure you have ample time if you make the hike out.
Multiple reports of Jackhole sightings have surfaced in regard to Skinnydipper AKA Mile Marker 4 Hot Springs near Banks, Idaho. Reports included alleged sightings of public urination/defecation in the parking area and next to the pools.
Side note: Skinny was officially closed at night for 2 years ending in 2009. However, Jackholes either defaced or removed signs and the closure was never really enforced. Very sad because the surrounding area has been abused so much that it was classified as ‘critically endangered’ years ago. This subsequently resulted in management/jurisdiction of MM4 changing hands from the Forest Service to the BLM.
This season brought about a sizable fee-hike to $25/night for campgrounds in the Atlanta, Idaho area near Atlanta, Power Plant and Chattanooga Hot Springs.
A little reworking has taken place at Secesh Hot Springs, northeast of McCall, Idaho. Smaller pools have been disassembled in favor of a larger primary pool. Initial qualifications have been favorable.

Please Remember

Pack it In Pack it Out – No Trash or Glass at the Hot Springs!

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Bonneville Hot Springs

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

The snow was hard enough to walk on, making an icy sidewalk that reached all the way to the geothermal complex. I am sad to report that the king soaking pool is somewhat dismembered. There’s hope, but serious work will be needed to patch up the rock walls. The soak shack was in good repair, as was the round-the-bend pool.

Read the complete trip report with pictures on IHS

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Lowman and Sun Valley Idaho Area Hot Springs Condition and Access Updates

Monday, April 21st, 2008

From the FindHotSprings.com Forums:

Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs near Sun Valley Idaho in Great Shape After Forest Service Recovery

Access condition updates for Hot Springs in the Lowman Idaho Area: Bonneville, Kirkham, Pine Flats and Tenmile

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Fires and the Frank

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Well, I’m back. Fresh from a week of backpacking to remote hot springs in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. I think I’m still feeling a little culture shock.

It was a different kind of drive back home from the trailhead. The sky was stained dark orange from all of the wildfire smoke. Fire planes and helicopters filled the air with unnatural noise. I passed what seemed like acres of land, dotted by hundreds of multicolored firefighter tents.

The most stunning was when driving by Bonneville Hot Springs. It was on fire, as well as the area around it. Human started, of course. Evacuated campers with concerned faces lined part of the road near the campground entrance while first responders battled the blaze. Chunks of burning earth tumbled to the ground as fire personnel waved me through. I caught glimpse of a small row of firefighters that were collapsed back to back on the side of the road, with faces flushed red from exhaust and blackened by soot.

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Bonneville Hot Springs Video Clip

Saturday, January 27th, 2007

Bonneville Hot Springs In Idaho – video powered by Metacafe

Clip Date 01.15.07

View Quicktime version

View Bonneville Hot Springs Pictures, Trip Reports and Other Video Clips

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Bonneville Bliss…

Friday, January 19th, 2007

Bonneville Hot Springs, a .25 mile hike and accessible from the official campground of the same name is located just off highway 21 north of Lowman. Bonneville features user built rock pools with sand/silt bottoms and a private soak shack that houses a bathtub.

While the hot springs are accessible all year, the campground closes during winter – access via snowshoes or skies. This increases the length of the hike from .25 miles to approximately 1 mile. The campground usually opens mid to late April, and on occasion early May (depending on snow levels).

Bonneville is an actual National Forest Campground, the hot springs are a short hike north of the camping area. Other NF camping sites/areas are also available nearby.

01.15.07 Trip Report

I had to break the chain; the last 2 times I’ve been here were both in April. No more. January proved to be the perfect time visit Bonneville Hot Springs. We could have snow shoed or cross country skied into the hot springs, but boots were our selected mode of transportation. Luckily there’s almost always a well-packed trail. In the past, the entrance to the campground was plowed just enough for a couple vehicles to park. This time the only place to park was at the Warm Springs Trailhead parking area shortly before the Bonneville campground entrance, which is also an alternative route to the hot springs.

View the complete listing for Bonneville Hot Springs in Idaho

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Bonneville Hot Springs in Idaho Revisited

Friday, April 21st, 2006

What a trip! I feel a little sad that is has been 4 years since I’ve been back here to qualify for a soak. The campground is still closed and gated, but there was a sign posted on the gate stating that it would open on April 15th… hmmm today is the 20th. My best guess is that it will take the snow another couple weeks to melt, plus time for the forest service crews to come in and prep the grounds – so the campground should be open in May sometime.

It was a very scenic hike through the snow while basking in the warm glow of the sun. Spring is just beginning here. We passed a friendly guy on the hike to the hot springs. He opted to not soak, citing large amounts of silt as the reason. Our soaking party discovered quite the opposite. The soak shack, mega-pool and waterfall pool were all in great soaking condition. There was silt in the mega-pool, but there was also a good sized silt-free zone – optimal for soaking.

This is the best time of the year to visit Bonneville. Warmer months bring in a steady stream of campers, and by the end of the summer expect ORVs and other vehicle traffic to kick up enough dust to coat the inside of your tent or camping device. During the core of winter Bonneville sees a steady stream of Nordic and snowshoe recreational enthusiasts. It is only during this time of the year, while the snow is melting and the ground features a smattering of bare spots, can you soak in solitude and truly enjoy this hot springs haven.