Archive for the ‘idaho’ Category

Idaho Hot Springs Access and Condition Updates

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

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

  1. Bonneville Hot Springs in IdahoThe super-soaker at Bonneville Hot Springs near Lowman, Idaho is back in action after being repaired by multiple volunteer groups.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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!

Travel Tools

| Posted in atlanta, bonneville, chattanooga, deadwood, idaho, jackholes, lowman, secesh, skinnydipper, trail creek, wildfires, willow creek id | No Comments »

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 »

Molly’s, Vulcan and Holdover Trip Reports

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

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

Here’s Molly’s Hot Spring

Molly's Hot Spring pH

And, Holdover Hot Springs

Holdover Hot Springs pH

Vulcan’s Pool Cave-In

Vulcan Hot Springs

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:

| Posted in 16mile, boise national forest, cascade, holdover, idaho, krassel, mollys, vulcan | No Comments »

3 Idaho Hot Springs in 4 Minutes

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

View video w/o music

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

| Posted in boise national forest, holdover, idaho, krassel, mollys, video, vulcan, warm lake | 2 Comments »

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Video Flashback

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

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

View Rocky Canyon Hot Springs on IHS

View Flickr Pictures

View all Rocky Canyon Blog Posts

| Posted in boise national forest, flashback, idaho, rocky canyon, video | No Comments »

Vulcan Hot Springs Video Flashback

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

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

Tags: | Posted in boise national forest, environment, flashback, idaho, video, vulcan, wildfires | No Comments »

Skinnydipper Clean Up Tuesday 4/6/10

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

After reading the hotspringsguy’s post on Skinnydipper it is hard to not want to go clean it up! Boise River Volunteers will be having a clean up on Tuesday 4/6/10- we will meet at 10am and clean then soak- plan for this to be an all day event. Tons of trash along with tons of fun, bring food, warm enough clothes for the weather, and money to chip in on gas if you can. Sign up at riverhelpers or comment for assistance in getting signed up. We are always glad to accept new volunteers!

- Amber

| Posted in activism, clean up, environment, idaho, skinnydipper, volunteer | No Comments »

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

Tags: | Posted in bonneville, idaho, video | No Comments »

Kirkham Hot Springs Pronounced “Kirk – UM”

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

The gate to the campground was still closed despite the lack of snow. A walk through the campground and surrounding area revealed minimal trash, very nice. Usually, this time of year, it’s bad news. I ran into a couple young ladies that were setting up camp for the night after hiking the interpretive trail. Best time of the year for that. No campground host + No other campers = No competition for the soak.

Read the complete trip report with pictures on IHS

Tags: | Posted in idaho, kirkham, video | No Comments »

A Quick Look at Pine Flats

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Pine Flats was awesome. Not the soak, but everything else. All of the pools except one tiny soaker up top were too cool (upper 90s) for school. It was just nice to hike around and look for signs of spring. Oh, and no trash to pick up is always a treat. After all of that hiking, it was time to return to Hot Springs Campground.

Read the complete trip report with pictures on IHS

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Tags: | Posted in idaho, pine flats, video | No Comments »