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

The following trip report is from a mid-July Boise and Payette National Forest venture, that took place northeast of Cascade, Idaho in the Krassel Ranger District.

Trail Creek = ultra slammed! A brief stop revealed less trash in the pullout than my last visit. On down the road.

Forest Service Road (FSR) 474 South was under heavy construction. ALL official and primitive camping areas are still off-limits due to area restoration efforts. Why the National Forest doesn’t just close the road to recreation traffic, or AT LEAST post 474 S as being under construction (massive mud/rocks) and that no camping is allowed, is beyond me. You would think they could work more efficiently with less traffic. Plus, aside from visiting (not camping) Vulcan (only roadside parking), Molly’s and Molly’s Tubs all other areas are off-limits.

The tubs at Molly’s Tubs are really, truly … gone. And, (big surprise) so is the trash. I recently received a trip report about the formation of two natural pools, however.

In regard to Molly’s Hot Spring… red spider mite alert! More and more people have been letting me know about this, and a recent email entailing of a spider mite infestation got me thinking it was time to ring the alarm. Why are so many of Idaho’s hot springs afflicted by the mites? Here’s the complete list of hot springs that have reported red spider mite activity… if you have more to add – please comment!

FSR 474 North was under pending construction. Nothing was going on, but the signs stated that construction would begin soon and would completely shut down the south fork road for about a month. They are going to replace all of the main culverts that run underneath the road.

Also worth noting, 474 N currently does not grant access to Yellow Pine and the Mule Hill trailhead to hot soaks in the Frank Church Wilderness (Kwis Kwis and the Middle Fork hot springs). Bridge out. To reach the afore mentioned destinations, take the Stanley-Landmark Highway instead. Drive past the 474 N turnoff towards Warm Lake and look for it near the lake heading north. There are plenty of signs to help you along.

This brings me to the title of this post. After turning onto FSR 474 North (AKA the South Fork Road) I began to notice a trend that made me feel very uneasy. Trash. Everywhere. Yep. Animals got into it.

I’ve been coming up here for almost a decade and have never seen it this trashed. Not even close. Not even after (or during) a fourth of July weekend. Campsites, both primitive and official – trashed. Garbage on the roads, trails and riverside. Fish entrails everywhere.

Apparently, this week a particular tribe is granted access to this area for fishing rights and free camping. Sadly, this type of behavior was something I’m accustomed to from other groups. I know so few fishermen that respect the land these days. Gotta give the Krassel crew a pat on the back for the cleanup. I picked up a ton of trash myself… it’s a compulsive habit nowadays. It barley made a dent though.

This was also the first time I have witnessed pimped-out cars bumpin gangsta rap in this area. Lovely to say the least. It was especially fun having a car pull into my campsite late at night just to be rudely asked “where are the hot springs?”. Oh joy. You can guess what I did. Played dumb.

Keep in mind, great soaks under the stars were had along with excellent mild-weathered hiking during the day. Wildlife was abound everywhere. Including the bugs. Even with bug juice on they ate me alive. Mosquito bites on my hands and face, a big (itchy) spider bite on the inside of my palm (still visible) and a mutant bug bite on my belly that left a scar! After a trip like this I’ve decide to look into garlic tablets.

“Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” –John Muir

A quick look at Molly’s Tubs Hot Springs, located in the Boise National Forest, northeast of Cascade, Idaho.

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Greetings fellow hot potters (sorry, hadn’t used that nick in bit – gotta mix it up)

If you are gearing up to head out into the backcountry please pay attention to the following road and area closures, as they could effect access to your hot springs destination.

Area: NE of Cascade: Warm Lake / Yellow Pine / Krassel District

Closure: Forest Service Road 474 North from August 4th through November 1st (NR)

Hot Springs: Sugah, Penny, Teapot, Buckhorn, Lodgpole, Darling’s Cabin

Closure: Stibnite Road in August, Exact Date TBA (NR)

Hot Springs: Kwis Kwis and access to the FCRNRW

Closure: Stolle Meadows (NR)

Hot Springs: None, but near Vulcan

Area: Lowman / Stanley

Closure: Fir Creek Campground until August 30th (NR)

Hot Springs: Bear Valley

Closure: Bull Trout Lake until August 30th (NR)

Hot Springs: Sitting Bull

In 1980/1981 Mile-16 Hot Springs in Idaho was located and cultivated by Al Borup, the late 70s and early 80s fire crew Chief of the Krassel work station. Al is currently working in Boise for the National Interagency Fire Center, continuing to fight the good fight no doubt.

The large rock in the north end of the pool took him and two others an entire day to move, which is still an integral part of the original pool that exists today. Thank you Al, this hot springs is a special place to many. Al has told me that the name Fire Crew was because of how fast people caught wind of the new soak. What he doesn’t realize is that the Fire Crew nickname is because of him.

Note: the access road to Mile-16 is currently closed, click for more info.

View the complete listing for Mile-16 Hot Springs in Idaho on IdahoHotSprings.com

A well-known and used hot springs northeast of Cascade Idaho. The pools are a short, but steep hike from the highway pullout.

View the complete listing for Trail Creek Hot Springs in Idaho

Forest Service Roads 474 North and 474 South in the Warm Lake area northeast of Cascade Idaho are both closed due to road construction, more than likely, until just before snow falls.

The closures effect access to the following hot springs:

474 South

Vulcan Hot Springs, Molly’s Tubbs, Molly’s Hot Spring and All of the other Molly’s.

474 North

Penny Hot Spring, Sugah Hot Springs, Teapot Hot Springs, Buckhorn Hot Springs, Darling’s Cabin Hot Spring and Lodgepole Hot Springs.

Whew!

If you have a cheap travel insurance, all you can do while looking for a last minute travel is a cheap travel deal. You surely cannot get orlando hotel in those rates. Only cruises fit that bill aptly.

10.14.07 Trail Creek Trip Report

I can’t believe it has been almost 1 year since I was last here. Both of Trail Creek’s pools are in excellent condition; deeper, new siphon hoses, wood palette and adjustable temperatures.

I was actually shocked to arrive and find the pullout empty. That could be because the Warm Lake Highway is under construction and the number of pullouts has vastly multiplied.

A quiet soak was enjoyed until a bunch of hunters pulled-in. They left their rig running, climbed down the trail, after their attempt at hiding behind trees and spying failed, and made their way down the trail to the pools. After milling about for a spell, walking past trash that I later would dispose of, they finally left. They probably spent a few bucks in gas on their little adventure.

Shortly after the hunters left a couple from Minnesota arrived, followed by yet another couple from Boise and finally a guy who just hung out in his truck. The brief, uninterrupted soak was stellar, but too much traffic for my liking.
Rating A-

View the complete listing for Trail Creek Hot Springs in Idaho

Residents of Yellow Pine and cabins in the vicinity of Warm Lake and Johnson Creek are still under evacuation orders while the surround roads remain closed as well. Here’s the update