Archive for the ‘guides’ Category

Is It Safe to Soak?

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Blech! Now that's stagnant water!Hot Springs Water Quality in Idaho

The question of how ‘safe’ is it to soak in a hot springs in Idaho is a common one. The following techniques will help you discern if that backcountry hot springs you tracked down is relatively safe to qualify.

1. pH strip testing
2. water flow-through and pool size considerations
3. red spider mite infestations
4. wildlife concerns

Learn how to judge if it’s safe to soak – continue reading the complete article on IdahoHotSprings.com…

Tags: | Posted in geothermal, guides, idaho, special interest | No Comments »

Beware the Jackholes! A Guide to Soaking in Idaho Hot Springs

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Daniel Claar is true hot springs brethren. He’s also a published author – and has graciously offered to contribute his work titled “Naked, Wet, and Wild in Idaho” to Idahohotsprings.com.

Daniel’s article features a bevy of tips, tricks and tactics all aimed at helping ease oneself into Idaho’s pristine public hot springs. Learn how to deal with ‘jackholes’, take care of a hot spring pool and if it’s ok to soak au naturel.

Read “Naked, Wet, and Wild in Idaho”

Tags: , , | Posted in guides, idaho | 1 Comment »

Map of Commercial Hot Springs in Idaho

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

The below map features every commercial hot springs in Idaho that I have information on. Please leave a comment if you know of another that should be on the map.


View Larger Map

| Posted in commercial, guides, idaho, maps | 8 Comments »

The Story of Stuff

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

I always come back from wilderness pack trips different. I’m reminded of the insane amount of waste we produce, stuff we have, ridiculous inhibitions we hold on to. I truly believe that there are two core problems we face in life as a society; education and over population. And, everything boils down to education. Peace. Health. Pollution. The Environment. Almost every challenge, threat and problem we face can be traced back to either of the two.

The more time I spend in nature, with only my backpack to provide the two primary staples of food and shelter, the more attune I become with myself and the world. If only I could backpack more, as to keep rejuvenated mentalities and perspectives fresh.

Wilderness is inspiring. My best ideas have come from the result of a wilderness adventure. One week away from all of the noise, advertising, routines and hustle and bustle of everyday life is liberating in so many ways.

The Story of Stuff, a 20 minute video by Free Range Studios, encapsulates much of what I’ve come to learn since I started backpacking in 1999 – and then some. It’s an eye-opening look at the world we are living in. Check it out:

Visit the official website

Download the full version (50MB) [have a viewing party]:

downloadmovie

| Posted in activism, commentary, environment, guides, story of stuff, video | 1 Comment »

The Guide to Visiting Backcountry Hot Springs, Squidoo Style

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

My first Squidoo Lens: The Guide to Visiting Backcountry Hot Springs

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General Hot Springs Warnings

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Serious injury and even death can and have occurred at hot springs. The most common dangers/warnings are listed below:

  • Alcohol consumption and dehydration in hot springs – drinking and soaking gets you wasted fast because hot springs dehydrate the body. Many have drown or fallen off a ledge while hiking due to mixing alcohol and hot springs together.
  • Soaking in the sun without replenishment – sun and hot springs can sap the juice right out of your body quickly; keep water, electrolyte drinks, sunscreen and sun protection handy.
  • Avoid visiting popular hot springs at the most popular times – I’ve heard horror story after horror story about how a newbie visited a popular hot springs on a Saturday afternoon and had a terrible time. Same goes for popular hot springs on weekend evenings. Fights, vehicle break-ins, vandalism and overcrowded pools are not just something people in Oregon and Washington have to worry about. Unfortunately, it happens all too often in Idaho too.
  • Acanthamoeba – an amoeba that is known to inhabit some hot springs which can enter the brain through nasal passages and cause meningitis. This is another reason to keep your head above water while soaking. Usually, hot springs with acanthamoeba are signed.
  • Snakes – this is generally not a concern, but a few hot springs feature nearby thermal vents that provide year-round habitat for snakes. If you leave them alone – they’ll leave you alone.
  • Hunters – hunters like hot springs so much that they often (and illegally mind you) build tree-perches so that they can shoot deer and elk that graze on hot springs algae. Their illegal kills and hasty clean-ups can lead to animal parasites entering the water complex and any people that soak in it along with attracting scavengers. While I’ve encountered respectable hunters in Idaho, the bulk majority have discouraged me greatly. I’ve seen drunk hunters shooting out their truck window while barley being able to drive, coke-head hunting parties and idiot hunters so paranoid of the woods and bears that they randomly shoot off their guns throughout the night.
  • Adult Situations – that’s right, unfortunately. For some reason, people think that popular hot springs are a good place to get their freak-on. Not such a great idea. And really, how would it feel to get busted by little Johnny or Suzy with their family in tow, or a dozen drunk hunters? Think about it.
  • Spring Runoff – even small creeks and rivers experience large undertows during spring runoff. Don’t try to cross anything fast moving until spring runoff is over, which is usually around late June to early July depending on elevation. See Research Seasonal Barriers for more information.
  • Pets – soaking with Fido can be an enjoyable experience, but the majority of hot springs are NOT dog safe for a variety of reasons.

Related Links:

Hot Springs Etiquette from the Scenic Hot Springs Blog
Guide to Backcountry Hot Springs
Guide to Roadside Hot Springs

| Posted in commentary, guides, scenic, special interest | 2 Comments »

All About Idaho Hot Springs

Friday, March 30th, 2007

Idaho has the most usable hot springs out of any state in the nation; with about 130 soakable out of 340. However, Nevada has the most hot springs overall, but the majority of them are not soakable. The water is hot because it is heated from within the Earth’s crust, forcing it up to the surface where pools are developed or form naturally near the outflow.

Ninety percent of Idaho’s 340 hot springs are the result of leftover energy heating water near fault lines. This energy is leftover from a 17 million year old meteorite collision that occurred in present day southeast Oregon. The collision dramatically altered the once lush environment into the high desert landscape that is familiar to us today.

Black basalt currently visible along Interstate 84 between Boise and Idaho Falls remains as evidence of the collision, as is Craters of the Moon National Monument. The migrating hot spot created by the impact of the meteorite was once underneath Craters of the Moon, just as it is now under Yellowstone National Park.

The other 10 percent of Idaho’s hot springs are from water being heated by active volcanoes, typically at or around fault lines.

Two Types Of Hot Springs

Public Natural Hot Springs – These springs are typically on public land and are considered a somewhat ‘rustic’ or ‘wilderness’ style of soak, although sometimes improvements made to the pools can yield to a commercial look and feel.

Commercial Natural Hot Springs – These springs are typically on private land and usually require a fee of some sort to access.

| Posted in commentary, guides, idaho, special interest | 3 Comments »

Soak Season Approaches

Saturday, March 17th, 2007

Ahh yes, it’s that time of the year again.

The weather is warming up, and thoughts of hot springs, hiking, backpacking, camping, festivals and road trips begin to plague the mind on a daily basis.

Some things to remember:

Spring Runoff
This is a big one. The majority of the best hot springs in the northwest are inaccessible until late June through early August because of spring runoff. That just means that the water runoff from the melting snow in the mountains creates dangerous river fording conditions – not to mention submerges every hot springs located next to a river or creek. Which is just about all of them. Each of the hot springs listings on IdahoHotSprings.com indicate the best time of year to visit.


Mile 16 – Submerged!


Trail Creek – Submerged!

Ticks
Early May though June is tick season. Make sure you and your canine compadre are ready to deal with those nasty little buggers.

Forest Road Closures
The majority of forest service roads do not officially open until mid-May. Even then, depending on elevation, some roads may not open up until early August.

Wildfires
Last summer was Idaho’s worst in regard to wildfires. In fact, the condition of a few hot springs is still unknown as many were in fire zones last season. The HotSpringsGuy.com keeps pretty good tabs on the latest wildfire threats in Idaho and Oregon, and the Interagency Fire Center is the place to go for all of your wildfire info. Last summer, each fire was given a blog.

Hot Springs Resources
Idaho Hot Springs Map and GPS Coordinate Listing
Guide to Roadside Hot Springs
Guide to Backcountry Hot Springs
Listing of Hot Springs in Idaho

Best wishes and happy soaking!

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