According to the BLM, the closure is due to the 2012 Springs Fire, which burned away vegetation on rocky slopes above the hot springs. There is concern that spring rains could lead to falling rocks, flooding and debris flows through the hot springs.

The closure encompasses 41 acres, and includes Bronco Billy Hot Springs and the highway pullout used for parking at the Skinnydipper Hot Springs trailhead.

It is important to note that the 2012 Springs Fire was caused by folks violating nighttime closure and camping up at Skinnydipper. Boise County has expressed concern since the fire because of the lack of BLM involvement with enforcing nighttime closure despite continued problems at the hot springs, but did not possess the authority to do anything about the situation.

Doesn’t this look bad for the BLM? They enact nighttime closure, but don’t enforce it at all. Then, enter the Springs Fire. All I’m saying is it doesn’t look good. The reason why the BLM has authority over the Forest Service, as I understand, is because Skinnydipper is located on critically endangered land. As I said, it doesn’t look good.

Don’t get me wrong, I have contacts within the BLM that want nothing more than to keep public hot springs open, safe and protected for everyone. I think that’s why the Skinnydipper situation is so frustrating.

It also bothers me that our public lands agencies don’t look to other states that have encountered similar problems to help with resolution. Wouldn’t this be preferable to waiting until Idaho’s natural wonders suffer the same fate when there are viable alternatives?

If anyone has some insight please comment below. It should be noted that the punishment for violating the Skinnydipper Hot Springs closure is brutal, with a possible fine of $1,000 AND up to 12 months jail time. I bet nighttime closure might have worked better if those fines were in place… yowch!

Bonneville Hot Springs in the Boise National Forest, located north of Lowman, was one of the first hot springs I had ever soaked in (see old trip reports at the bottom of this page). The first being Pine Flats and second Bear Valley. I’ll never forget what it felt like to drop down that last wedge of trail just as the monolithic, steaming geothermal mass known as Bonneville Hot Springs revealed itself for the first time.

Sunrise at Bonneville is a special treat, especially this time of the year. The cold, brisk spring air is usually in the 30s this early, which means the large expanse of hot water will churn out steam reminiscent of geyser giants in Yellowstone. Add to that the unique light radiating from the rising sun and you have a very mystical-ish environment. It’s like venturing into another world, that is, before the air warms and sun fully crests the treeline horizon.

March 29th, 2013 Trip Report

Visiting Bonnie this time of the year has inadvertently become a tradition. I didn’t realize it until today, but I’ve been returning this place during early spring for years. Despite heavy traffic at nearby Skinnydipper, Hot Springs CG, Pine Flats and extreme usage at Kirkham Hot Springs, Bonneville was left alone. For a bit.

There was patchy snow and ice on the trail, clearly the time for snowshoes and skies has come and gone. The entrance and gate to the campground of the same name remain closed until May 20, when the campground officially opens. For me, the extra mileage just ensures the journey is that much more worth it. That’s actually a good rule-of-thumb to live by. The trailhead to Bonneville is located at the north end of the campground.

I was really excited about not finding ANY trash! Not having to enact my typical pre-soak, trash bagging routine is always a huge plus. Watch the video for the deets. On the trail, I encountered 3 young ladies from Boise State who were on a hot springs sojourn for their last day of spring break. I remember those days fondly, as most of my spring breaks as a student were spent trudging through the snow and sun ISO stellar soaks. That’s how real Idahoians do spring break, ha ha. They were really nice, I was a bit worried about the two that had flip flops on. I noticed they were equipped with the BNF flyer the visitor centers and ranger stations have been handing out for years.

I also noticed that they were from Kootenai County. Which, ironically, is where I too came from prior to making Boise my home to attend Boise State (and how I came to discover hot springs, but that is another story). Up north we’ve got a lot of big, HUGE lakes. Any one of which make Lucky Peak resemble a puddle. However, the north severely lacks geothermal wonderment, except for those few hot springs located in the Clearwater National Forest and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Idaho really does have it all, backcountry-wise.

By the time my vehicle was in sight on the return hike two more cars had pulled into the small pullout in front of the campground gate. Even though the day started in the 30s, it was nearing 70 out after I tossed the pack in the back of the truck. I have been pleasantly surprised how nice and considerate soak seekers have been of late. I hope this trend continues, as the growth-rate for the human Jackhole sub-species seems to always be on the rise.

I immensely enjoyed the hike in, soak and hike out at Bonneville. Maybe one crisp, early spring morning, it is you that I’ll quietly hike past whilst wandering down your own path to geothermal enlightenment.

Until then, happy trails!

References:

• Bonneville Hot Springs Posts and IDHS Listing
• Skinnydipper Hot Springs Posts and IDHS Listing
• Hot Springs Campground Posts and IDHS Listing
• Pine Flats Hot Springs Posts and IDHS Listing
• Kirkham Hot Springs Posts and IDHS Listing
• IDHS Guide to Boise Area Hot Springs

How would I explain a forest to
Someone who has never been in one –
The trees and the wind thru them,
The birds and their songs and
Their acrobatic flight about the branches.
The smell of the last time and
The time before and the time before
That, that I was in the woods. The
Sound and the silence. The peace
And the crunch of the leaves and the branches
On the snow. The sound of a stream or
A woodpecker or a squirrel disappearing.
And the trees reaching up and up
And up to gather the sun and turn
Light to air, to jigsaw the moonlit winter
Sky. The trees like a fortress for the natural
World. What if I could not take my
Children for a walk in the woods.

Happy Holidays and Wilderness Soaking ~HSG

There is a non-underwater camera video clip available as well:

Autumn at Trail Creek Hot Springs

View All Trail Creek Posts

Trail Creek Early July

Trail Creek Mid September

Trail Creek Hot Springs, located in the Boise National Forest, is definitely in good shape.

Great job everyone, I couldn’t find any trash to haul out this time! Makes me so happy and proud to see hot springers taking good care.

I recorded this video clip just a couple weeks ago, and have to say watching it makes me ready to head back out. Hope you are all enjoying fall!

Don’t forget to get out of doors and hike around among the color shifting foliage.

Happy Trails!

Mundo Hot Springs is located 3 miles north of Cambridge, Idaho (see map below) and is about a 2 hour drive from Boise.

Mundo Hot Springs Features

• RV Park (full hook-ups)
• Campground
• Hostel
• Bistro
• Wildlife watching
• River hiking
• WiFi

Mundo Hot Springs Google Map

View Larger Map

I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to a visit, the newly constructed pool sounds like a great soak.

Additional information, rates and pictures can be found on the official website and Facebook fan page for Mundo.

Please leave a comment if you have visited!

Unfortunately, many wildfires are still raging with smoke continuing to pour into the valleys. Some might even continue their all-consuming march until damp October weather finally sets-in. Don’t forget to check InciWeb and Idaho road conditions prior to departing on any backcountry trips.

Enjoy the Photos – Happy Trails!

An Early Morning Soak at Willow Creek

A Look at the Prime Attraction at Willow Creek

Creek Bridge Near Warm Lake

One of the Pools at Trail Creek Hot Springs

Trail Creek is Always Great

The View from Sugah Hot Springs

Sunset in the SE Oregon High Desert

Night Feet at Holdover Hot Springs

Hiking in the Boise National Forest

Hot Springs Photo Submissions

Submitted by Mandy Hardan (thanks Mandy!):

• Greylock Hot Springs and the pond below Atlanta Hot Springs in Idaho

Submitted by Brett Kent (thanks Brett!):

• Loftus Hot Springs pics taken after the destruction that took place in May

Got photos you want to share of this summer’s hot springing adventures? Send ‘Em In!

Happy Trails!

I even had an associate debate me on the merits of how you get dirty ‘out there’ and need to clean up every so often. That’s all well and good, but the problem is that ALL forms of soap and shampoo pollute water sources.

Soap and shampoo (even plastic tarps) produce a foreign substance that not only pollutes the environment but can become invasive as well.

Mother nature can’t breakdown soap and shampoo. Fish and wildlife eat the foreign substance, and so fourth. It is also ILLEGAL. Just plain bad news in general.

Please do yourself and all hot springs and waterways a solid by keeping all soap and shampoo (including bio or natural based products) at least 200 feet from any and all water sources: creeks, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, springs and so fourth.

Thank You and Happy Soaks!

Part 3

After the awesome dinner show, it was time for some hot coffee and journal notes. Post sunset was nice and warm, but cool enough to send the little buggars packing for the day. The wet spring has treated the insectoid realms well. I was so enveloped with attempting to record every detail that it was early the next morning by the time I looked up. But, when I did, I remember thinking that this must be where the term “blanket of stars” comes from. The fierce moonlight only slightly dimmed overall visibility of the start-filled sky once the nearly full glowing orb decided to make an appearance. The spectacle laid out before me triggered the memory of a long forgotten quote…

The Night has a thousand eyes,
And the Day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun.
- Francis William Bourdillon

As late night turned to early morning the warmth of the evening faded. How can somewhere so hot during the day be so cold at night? The response I received was a welcome one; a chorus of frogs, toads and crickets. This, of course, is a question I have asked myself many a time in many a place much like this. It still comes as a surprise to me, and I like that. It was time to put the fire out and retire for the evening.

Jerusalem Cricket AKA Potato Bug

The next day brought about a weary rise, coffee and a stellar morning soak prior to the sighting of a Jerusalem Cricket. Or, as I like to call them – RUN!!! I actually didn’t know what this little red spider looking critter that was about the size of a mouse was at first sight. It was quick, and it was the first thing I looked up online once back on-grid. Red, bulbous head with six legs and a black and white striped body? Yep. Jerusalem Cricket. AKA RUN!!! Turns out, these little guys aren’t crickets and are harmless, thanks Wikipedia!

As the day wore-on temperatures continued to ratchet-up. With no natural shade available one has to make their own in conditions like this. An ice cold anything sounded great. I didn’t want to repeat overheat, so I was really focusing on staying hydrated and keeping out of the heat as much as possible. Willow Creek itself was only a slight temptation. Even though the water was moving a little, the stagnant, marshy, silty aspects kept me at bay. As did the thought of adding leeches to the roster of bugs that have already bitten or stung me. Good thing hot springs are great for bug bites, as I would test this theory over and over again throughout this trip.

Hiking around the buttes and surrounding hills led to a familiar obsidian patch. It was good to see those pesky humans hadn’t harvested all of the shiny, black fragments that lie strewn about as if someone had smashed a case of glass bottles on the rocky ground. I considered hiking south from the BLM camp on a closed road that went in the direction of Nevada. About 3 miles or so down the road were some really old basque homes made out of rock that I was interested in. Maybe if it cools off, I remember thinking after already having hiked around a few hours. Besides, some trip planning needed to be dealt with. Stay, or head towards Steens Mountain. Decisions decisions. All of this heat was really giving me a yearning for a thick, shady, cool forest.

Once again, I had to crash out thanks to a heat-induced headache. Just before I passed out, I watched a large white pickup truck with a camper on the back towing a couple bikes ZOOM past the turnoff to Willow Creek. The bugs were out as usual, but not as brutal as before. Same with my headache. I was back at it after only a couple hours of downtime, exactly 1 hour before sunset. Perfect timing – and perfect time for pre-soak photo-op. Sunset and sunrise are my favorite times of the day to shoot, and this sunset was already epic.

Part 4 next update…