Archive for the ‘lowman’ 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 »

Pics of Kirkham

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Pictures from a recent visit to Kirkham Hot Springs in Idaho…

smojosh - View my 'Kirkham Hot Springs' set on Flickriver

View Kirkham on IHS

| Posted in boise national forest, idaho, kirkham, lowman, photography | No Comments »

Party Goers Rescued from Pine Flats Hot Springs in Idaho

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Last Saturday, December 20th, a group of 4 men and 2 women partied it up at Pine Flats Hot Springs in the Boise National Forest, which is located about 1.5 hours north of Boise, Idaho. The source and pools are only about a 0.35 mile hike from the official National Forest campground of the same name.

Pine Flats is a popular summer campground destination and is frequented occasionally during the winter months by locals. The hot springs pools are located in a variety of locations near and around the source, and are typically shallow and too cool for wintertime soaking. Despite being easy to reach, pools located above the river require a steep hike up jagged, loose rocks. These are normally the hottest pools, while the riverside soaks are usually much cooler.

From the way the story reads; the group got tanked, didn’t protect their clothes from the elements while soaking and then got disorientated on the hike back. Sadly, I’ve heard renditions of this same story all too frequently in the past, at least a few times each winter. This group was very fortunate that they all made it out alive.

Just a couple weeks ago I almost got into serious trouble at the very same hot springs. I wasn’t drinking, but still somehow managed to fall into the hot springs pool with all of my clothes on. In regard to the news article; there’s pretty much only one way in and out of Pine Flats… unless they were able to scale an ice-covered cliff or ford the near-frozen Payette River. My guess is that they missed the path back up to the parking area on the return hike and continued east along the river in Lowman’s direction. This is where the river gradually shifts back toward the Banks-Lowman highway. Not so in the other direction.

Long story short; 4 of the group ended up on the Banks-Lowman highway without much clothing on when spotted by a snowplow driver, who in-turn called in the Idaho State Patrol. ISP arrived, tracked down the other two, and brought them back into Boise.

Here’s a map of Pine Flats, you can see Lowman to the east. Note where the river moves toward the highway…

I’m really glad that everyone made it out ok. When events like these go bad, hot springs get closed down. Something the story neglects to mention, is that the hot springs pools at Pine Flats are currently NOT warm enough for a soak. I would imagine that they began the hypothermia-like chilling process as soon as they climbed into the pool. I can’t stress it enough, reliable (waterproof) water thermometers are a very important tool that should be in every hot springer’s arsenal. Optimal soaking conditions exist at 100 to 110 degrees, 102-106 is a great target range. Also, a good rule of thumb when in a hot spring pool: 1 beer = 3.

Read the guide to backcountry hot springs; contains gear list, safety info., etiquette and more…

KTVB actually used a few pictures I’ve taken of Pine Flats in the story video…

More: view pictures, video clips and past trip reports of Pine Flats Hot Springs

As always, check road reports, weather conditions and be prepared when attempting to visit backcountry hot springs during inclement weather seasons.

Be safe and have fun! Happy Holidays!

[where: Lowman, ID]

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| Posted in breaking news, idaho, lowman, pine flats | 8 Comments »

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