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

1. The 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

• Check road reports/conditions
• Check the weather forecast
• Check listing of hot springs with Red Spider Mites (RSMs)
• Learn about how to test if a hot springs is safe to soak
• Submit access and/or condition updates

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

• Vulcan Pictures
• Vulcan Blog Posts
• Vulcan on IHS

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I recently had the pleasure of revisiting the White Cloud Mountains, located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) in central Idaho. A visit to this area isn’t complete without checking out Hoodoo Lake, Crater Lake, Hoodoo Mines and of course – Slate Creek Hot Springs (AKA, you guessed it, Hoodoo Hot Springs).

This section of my backcountry adventure began when I turned onto FSR 666 off the main highway a few miles past Stanley, Idaho. Which is a good place to score a delicious Huclkeberry Milkshake, another must if you are traveling through Stanley. Normally, Slate Creek Road is a little rough, but this time through it was moderately brutal. Luckily, the scenery is spectacular, and I had a set of fresh tires w/spare. About halfway to the hot springs two kids shot out of the woods and ran along side of my truck for about a mile, grinning wildly. Crazy kids, reminded me of myself back in the day.

When I finally reached the hot springs I was disappointed to find someone’s rig parked in my favorite camping spot. This ‘rig’ was a little freaky; it looked like half monster truck half RV, and like something from Maximum Overdrive. There wasn’t a sole person around either. I really had not intended to soak-it-up until the evening, but a storm was darkening the sky and dropping the temperature. Naturally, I took advantage.

Trash was actually moderate to low, for Slate Creek. Only filled up one small bag. My campsite was an entirelly different story – I actually spent about 3 hours hauling someone’s smashed up table out of a creek located in a small revene. Jerks must have threw/kicked it down there – and blocked up the creek, I was pissed! On top of that, there was all kinds of other crap everywhere. This trend unfortunately continued every night of this particular trip. All signs pointed to hunters and anglers very clearly. I know there are some good ones out there that leave a light footprint, but seriously! All of the Forest Service and BLM workers deserve a pay raise for dealing with not only the trash, but the mentality.

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Slate Creek Hot Springs was a stellar soak, for sure. I wasn’t too happy to find the pool filled up upon arrival. This old wooden-box soaking pool structure is weakening, and keeping it water-logged simply accelerates matters. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy a nice soak (w/o rain) for a couple hours before lightning chased me off. Never did see the monster RV folks, but on my way out I passed multiple fire trucks and two helicopters carrying fire retardant.

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Video clips are coming soon. Ohh, yes – Sunbeam Hot Springs was still underwater, but there were plenty of people trying! I also tried to reach Bear Valley Hot Springs, but was unsuccessful.

Slate Creek Hot Springs Rating: A

View past trip reports, pictures and video clips of Slate Creek Hot Springs

For the first time since July you can now have a campfire in Idaho. Sweet! It sure has been getting chilly at night, and is even supposed to snow above 8K tonight… sheesh. Anyway, here’s the details in regard to Idaho wildfire conditions.

This means have ‘safe’ fires, and please make sure to douse fires with water to put them out. No fires right next to hot springs or any water for that matter – keep it at least 200ft away. Soak like a ghost – leave no trace.

Warren Wagon road, from McCall to Burgdorf Hot Springs has re-opened. The roads beyond the hot springs are open to residents only. Which means access to Secesh Hot Springs is a no-go. Here’s the latest update

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

Triple Creek Ranch, Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs and Shower Bath are still threatened by wildfire, here’s the latest update.

I heard from the owner of Gold Fork yesterday that Burgdorf had been evacuated due to a wildfire and just heard from the owner of Maple Grove that their access road is now closed due to wildfire. When I was at Gold Fork yesterday, I discovered the road is closed just past the hot springs because of a large firefighter encampment just down the road. It’s all clear to Gold Fork though.

At first, I started to compile a list of hot springs not accessible due to wildfires, but then I realized that almost all of the hot springs in Idaho, especially backcountry (ones you have to backpack to reach) hot springs are blocked by wildfire. My best advise to you; check the Interagency Fire Center Incident page. Don’t just check out the active fires, but call before you go. If you plan on backpacking, the chances are slim that you’ll get to a hot springs. Have a few backup plans handy.