Note: Originally posted 12.31.09, Updated 01.02.10

First, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the fallen…

In 2009, we lost the pools at Molly’s Tubs, Vulcan and Rocky Canyon (more). All 3 hot springs are located in Idaho, and all 3 were deconstructed by the Forest Service due to reasoning centered around public abuse and misuse.

Over the last decade Idaho has lost many public hot springs in addition to the 3 above. It’s going down in Idaho in almost the exact same way it occurred in Oregon and Washington in the past. Ever heard of Cougar Hot Springs? How about Scenic, Wind River, Bagby, McCredie, Olympic, Austin? These hot springs were all once incredible public soaks. Legendary, in their own right. Epic among hot springer circles. They all are either closed, or feature restricted access, expensive permits and/or excessive vandalism and vehicle break-ins (and of course unreal amounts of trash).

The good news is we can learn from their example, but we don’t have much time. Jerry Johnson and Kirkham Hot Springs in Idaho are now closed at night. Skinnydipper has a range of problems; vehicle break-ins, flat tire/vehicle damage, gang fights, excessive trash, drunken and lewd behavior (meaning swinger gatherings). Skinnydipper was actually under nighttime closure for two years ending in 2009. However, it was rarely enforced, and signage was destroyed as fast as it was enacted.

The Moral of the Story

If we can figure out how to keep these sacred places clean and safe, I think we can actually save them. If we let abuse and misuse run rampant, the powers that be will have no choice but to either restrict usage or enact strict access measures.

This brings me back to the post title – Soaking Zen in 2010. This year, clean-up the hot springs before you soak. If there are disreputable folks trashing it up – do something sensible. Say something. Maybe start picking up trash in front of them, or snap a pic of their license plate and report them to the nearest Ranger Station or public lands office.

Believe me, a sweet soak in a natural hot springs feels a lot better this way. Hot springs need protection if they are to be enjoyed by the public for years to come, as it should be.

With that said, I want to express my gratitude to all of the unsung HS heroes. All of the trash picker-uppers, conservation and preservation supporters, volunteers, eco-friendly public land workers, petition signers, bloggers, news anchors and directors and outspoken enviro do-gooders. I thank you, mother nature thanks you and a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts, thank you.

It is not enough to UNDERSTAND the natural world.

The point is to DEFEND and PRESERVE it.

Happy New Year!

• Follow HSG on Twitter
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• Meet Amber – New HSG Contributor!
• The 2010 Northwest Hot Springs Calendar on Amazon.com
• Check Idaho Road Reports/Conditions and WebCams

This year, I crafted out a calendar of my favorite northwest hot springs photos. Then, promptly forgot about it until today. I received an email from the calendar publisher telling me that it’s among a select few that are going to be featured on Amazon.com for the holiday. Score!

Click the button below to view/buy the calendar on Lulu:

View or Buy on Amazon.com!

Feel free to purchase in large quantities. .

Been a busy couple of months, here’s what I’ve been up to:

1. Adding limited Google Maps functionality to the GPS page for Idaho. Only a few HS have been updated, but more are on the way. Once I’ve got ‘em all linked, I’ll put something together like I did for commercial Idaho hot springs.
2. Compiling a listing of “The Legends of Hot Springs”, or something like that. Hot Springs already have rich histories, but there are a number of influential individuals that I’d like to acknowledge. This will be a hot springs history lesson you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s the short list:
   Skip Hill
   Evie Litton
   Moss Man (no joke)
   Hot Springs Harley
   Keeper Ken
   NZ Defendress
   Scenic Rick
   Tim Messing
   D & J
   … and many others. Got suggestions? Please comment!
3. Completing the trip report from visiting hot springs in the Middle Fork Boise River area. Codenamed the PIE trip (Poison Ivy Eye).
4. Working on a post about the “Gift of the Waters Pageant”, held annually in Hot Springs State Park.
5. Listings on IHS for the remainder of all commercial hot springs.
6. Trip planning for a possible run at Arizona Hot Springs, near Vegas.

Winter Travel Reminder

Travel and soak safely; check weather, road conditions and webcams before leaving. Then, check again. Especially if you are heading into the backcountry. Pack like you’re going to get stranded a couple days – bring extra food, clothes, water thermometer and sleeping gear. Also, try to not fall into a hot springs with all of your clothes on.

In Idaho (and SE Oregon), most remote backcountry locations do not have cell phone reception. I’ve been through places that are plowed 1-2x/day, weather permitting, and have soaked in pools that freeze the hair on your head, face and inner-nose in seemingly seconds. Just be careful.

Just when I finally figured out how to reduce this blog’s ranking for the search tearm “hot guy” (ugh) another blip on the radar appeared…

Now I’ve gotta figure out how to separate traffic from the good ol Hot Springs Hotel franchise.

It looks like there might be some trouble brewing at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. According to this forums post, the Boise National Forest has plans to dismantle the improved pools.

Here’s the post:

I have had a very disturbing conversation with the district ranger Boise National Forest, area around Crouch. Includes these hot springs. They told me that these rebuilt pools are going to be “dismantled” because there was no permit issued for the building of them. I have written a letter with a copy to his boss. District Ranger attn: John Erickson 1805 Hwy 16 Rm #5 Emmett 83617. His boss is Boise National Forest attn: Ceilia Seesholtz at 1249 Vinnell Way suite 200 Boise 83709 . Above the Social Security office just west of the Wal Mart on Overland. We need H E L P and more people to protest the destruction of these awesome pools. lhp2658@q.com But the pools are still awesome, and today “election day” we had them all to ourselves, with only 3 vehicles on the road!

My thoughts, based on past/present visits and submitted hot springer trip reports:

Before the pools were improved:

• (-) The terrain was more dangerous to navigate. The best pools to soak in were located near the top of the source; a slick, steep climb.
• (+) The pools were natural in design, (-) save for tarps used that deteriorated and entered stream systems (tarps have fungi that cannot naturally be broken down, fish eat it, animals eat – then we eat it).
• (-) Poor pool construction meant poor water flow; pools often contained stagnant water.

After the pools were improved:

• (+) The overall level of trash at the hot springs and pullout has been dramatically reduced.
• (-) There is an increased potential for overuse and abuse, which typically leads to vehicle vandalism and other assorted problems that occur at some of the more popular easy-access public hot springs. However, Rocky Canyon is somewhat off the beaten path in regard to typical easy-access classified soaks.

My question to the forest service is why Rocky Canyon? There are many other improved soaking pools in the Boise National Forest that I doubt have permits and are notorious trouble-makers. If you target one, don’t you have to go after them all? Maybe I’m missing something.

What are you thoughts? Should Rocky’s pools be dismantled or preserved?

[where: Crouch, ID]

I’m generally not very political these days… except when it comes to the environment. That, I understand better than the many other faucets of our quagmired yet multi-dimensional political system. What I do know, is that many of our current politicians have continuously levied attacks against the environment for no better reason than to make money. Not for the country, not to serve the people, but either for themselves or for political gain. The expense? A few more thin slices are cut from America’s last piece of public land pie.

The evidence is overwhelming here in Idaho; the state with the most open space in the lower 48 – the only state not covered by the nationwide Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Even despite the economic viability of fishing, hunting and backpacking – and the combined outcry from these groups; Idaho’s roadless land remains virtually unprotected. Keep in mind, less than 2% of all land in the US is roadless (Source: Wilderness Society). That means Idaho and Alaska are about it. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take summer in Idaho over rainy, cold, mosquito-infested (yet absolutely beautiful) Alaska anytime.

Living in the reddest state of the US has proved enlightening. Aggravating too. Urbanization of Economics depicts that the reason why people live in Idaho is primarily singular – they come for the wilderness. It also teaches that cities (economies) are nothing without a core group of people – the working middle class. But yet, this evidence eludes many. Our political leaders tend to support causes that promise them big business in the future by use of methods that go against what sustains cities to begin with. I’m not saying I want to see Idaho all blue or all red, just a bit more balanced.

Growing your business in Idaho, be you a politician, small business owner, corporate worker or Joe the Plumber, should utilize methodology that supports what makes Idaho – Idaho. Grow in a way that conserves, preserves, promotes and protects Idaho wilderness – instead of making the easy choice to support methodology that undermines the reasoning of why people choose to live in Idaho.

It seems, that once you’ve lived in a frontier state like Idaho, it’s easy to forget that the other 48 states don’t have roadless forests, open desert and intact ecosystems that aren’t swarming with people and problems. In some states, they just plain don’t exist.

Even now, the day after the election, there is hope. Environmental organizations are scrambling to embrace a new forthcoming administration, one that favors protecting the environment in hopes of protecting our future.

That gives me hope.

More info. on Idaho Roadless Rule

Defenders of Wildlife Election 08 Wrap-Up Video:

2008 Election Wrap-Up from Defenders Action Fun on Vimeo.

Eastern Sierra Hot Springs Goodness

CaliCampBug has a great post up of her latest visit to a few northern California geothermal gems on her stellar blog ‘California Camp Bug‘. Featuring amazing pictures and corresponding trip report. View the post

Idaho’s Roadless Forests in NYT

Idaho is the only state that is not covered by the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Read the article

Boise Larry Lynx Creek Trip Report and Pics

Here’s a great hot springs trip report on the elusive Lynx Creek Hot Springs, located a few miles hike from the backcountry mining town of Atlanta. View the trip report

MSN Hot Springer Now on Multiply

Notorious hot springer Kim has migrated his hot springs content to Multiply. Visit her new site