Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho Revisited

10.17.05 Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Trip Report

It was a nice return visit to Rocky Canyon. After braving the cold water river ford we were rewarded with a choice of two steamy soaks.

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs

All of the pools look slightly different in contrast to their position and how they were reinforced in the past. Be careful on the steep hike up - use a walking/hiking stick/trekking pole, which will also greatly increase your river fording ability.

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs

The main downer on this particular trip was the insane amount of cigarette butts... good grief! And that's the odd thing - cig butts were the only trash I found save for a lone beer can.

Rating: B+

Endangered Species Update

The battle to save America's endangered species now depends on the Senate. In September, the House of Representatives approved major changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which would cripple 30-year-old protections.

Send an e-mail - Before the Senate starts debating major changes to the ESA, tell your senators to keep strong safeguards for rare species.

Click on the link below to send an e-mail:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/esa_senate?rk=r1qzCqp1-RIbW

Hollywood Going Green? You bet -

I was really stoked when I stumbled upon Leonardo DiCaprio's Eco-Site when researching Global Warming. I love it when someone highly influential dedicates part of their life to a good cause. Granted; our society gives celebrity types way too much power - at least a select few are utilizing that power in positive ways.

His Eco-Site is a great primer for those of you new or wanting to learn more about Global Warming:

http://www.leonardodicaprio.org/

Take Action Against Global Warming!

One Million Citizens: One Goal: Stop Global Warming >

Boycott & Expose Exxon/Mobil >

Tell Car Companies to Innovate, not Litigate >

Take the Ocean's Alive Pledge >

Hot Springs Updates & Action Alerts

Hot Springs Updates Coming Soon

5 - that's right, 5 hot springs updates complete with pictures are on the way for the following hot springs in Idaho:

1. Fire Crew
2. Pine Burl
3. Moondipper
4. Boiling Springs
5. Rocky Canyon


Action Alerts

"Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet." Carl Sagan

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is under attack and we don't have a minute to spare. Your help is needed right now to stop oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge before it's too late.

Take Action!

http://ga1.org/campaign/arctic_vote?source=200510_adv_arcvir


Protect Western Oregon's Ancient Forests

In a deal with the timber industry, the BLM agreed to revise its management plans and provide an alternative that does not include a “reserve” system for older forests. This “reserve” system is the very heart of the Northwest Forest Plan, and the result of BLM'’s planning effort could destroy the integrity of the reserve system, and all the protection it affords the fish and wildlife in the Northwest. It doesn't have to be that way.

Please Take Action Today:

http://ga1.org/campaign/westernoregon?rk=p1NCkZ51Xu-3W


Help the Humane Society Fight-Back Against the Fur Industry

The Humane Society of the United States'’ new Fur-Free Campaign is fighting back against the heartless fur industry, and I'’m asking you to fight with us. Animals killed for these products suffer terribly, and are killed through horribly barbaric means such as anal or genital electrocution, clubbing, drowning, or neck-breaking. Here'’s what you can do now to help save these animals:

Sign the fur-free pledge today. Make your personal pledge to never buy products that include fur or fur trim. By doing so, you'’ll send a powerful message to the fur industry that you and millions of other consumers will not support cruelty. Click here to sign the pledge.

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors"
PLATO

Happy Soaking! ~Josh

Kirkham Hot Springs Scalping Incident - Sentencing Update!

Originally posted 02.09.05, updated 03.28.05, 07.15.05, 07.18.05, 10.15.05 and last updated 10.16.05.

Marianne Dahle was sentenced for up to 10 years for the scalping that took place at Kirkham Hot Springs; which means she's up for parole in 4. Seems kinda weak considering she ruined the girl's life - let alone nearly killed her.

Check out the links below to read the details - interesting to see it show up in the LA Times:

> Los Angeles Times (LaTimes.com) Article

> IdahoStatesman.com Article


07.18.05 Update

Marianne Dahle (July, 2005)

Marianne Dahle, 26, of Caldwell, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery before 4th District Judge Kathryn Sticklen on Wednesday, the day her trial was to begin. Dahle could face up to 15 years in prison.

It should be noted that this is a reversal of her initial claim.

Prosecutors said Dahle tied up a 15-year-old Nampa girl — who has been identified publicly only by the first name of Sheila — on Jan. 18 and used a 4-inch knife to cut away the entire crown and back portion of her scalp. The attack happened at Kirkham Hot Springs, 70 miles northeast of Boise, where Dahle had invited Sheila and a 16-year-old female acquaintance to soak in the pools of warm water and party.

Investigators said they believe Dahle and Sheila were part of a clique of young female "punkers" who wore mohawk haircuts. Police say according to the group's creed, if a member disrespected women, they were not allowed to wear a mohawk. They believe Dahle scalped Sheila in retaliation for actions the younger girl had made that Dahle perceived as offensive to their gender (Fox News, 07.2005).

Allegidly; the 'offensive' action towards their gender was sleeping with a man. This isn't official, but you can read about it here.

Marianne Dahle (March, 2005)

Check out the article links below to read more about the lesbian-gang/clique related scalping that took place at Kirkham Hot Springs near Lowman, Idaho on January 18th, 2005. This story (unfortunately) made nationwide news in early February 2005.

Updated Links

07.16.05: The Times-Online: Twin Falls, ID
Mom of Scalped Teen Hopes Attacker Gets Maximum Sentence

07.15.05: Standard-Examiner
Mother of Scalping Victim Urges Tough Sentence

07.15.05: KTVB
Mom Says Scalped Teen Relieved by Plea
(requires login to read)

07.14.05: Fox News
Idaho Woman Pleads Guilty to Scalping Teen
(printable version)

04.12.05: KPVI/DT
Kirkham Hot Springs Scalping Update

03.05.05: Associated Press
Suspect in Teen's Scalping Surrenders

02.10.05: Mac-a-ro-nies
Dominatrix Dahle Leads this weeks 'News of the Weird'

02.09.05: Fox News
Scalping Suspect Surrenders to Police
(printable version)

02.08.05: Fox News
Cops: Woman Scalped After Slight
(printable version)

View the Kirkham Hot Springs Listing on IdahoHotSprings.com >>

Idaho & Northwest WebCams Area Updated

Both Yellowstone cams are back online and live in the Idaho & Northwest WebCams area...

Yellowstone Cam #1: Mammoth Hot Springs



Yellowstone Cam #2: Old Faithful

Endangered Species Under Attack from Congress!

First Step Already Taken Against the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives voted 229 to 193 to approve legislation which, if it becomes law, will eliminate the requirement for "critical habitat" for endangered species.

To add insult to injury, the bill passed by the House last week will make the government pay developers and polluters not to kill publicly owned fish and wildlife. This is detrimental on so many levels, and gives big business way too much control over our public lands.

Sign the petition to Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), on the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee telling him that you support protection for endangered species such as the American bald eagle, the bighorn sheep and the grizzly bear and ask him to oppose this bill in the Senate.

An Important Message from Robert Redford

Dear Hot Springs and Public Land Users & Supporters,

The Bush Administration and Congressional leaders are shamelessly exploiting Hurricane Katrina as the latest excuse to hand over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the oil industry.

Given the massive oil spills still devastating the Gulf Coast, it defies belief that our leaders are rushing headlong to hand over America's greatest wildlife sanctuary to the oil lobby.

Instead of making America more energy efficient -- the fastest way to meet our energy needs and avoid oil supply shocks -- they would sponsor yet another corporate raid on our natural heritage.

This cynical exploitation of a national tragedy has revealed, as nothing else could, the complete bankruptcy of President Bush's pro-polluter energy policies -- policies inspired by nineteenth-century oil barons.

Five years of coddling the oil industry has given us higher gas prices and left us more vulnerable than ever to oil shortages -- not to mention oil spills, air pollution, despoiled public lands, and catastrophic global warming.

You and I must not let the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge become the next preventable casualty of this president's failed policies.

Within the next few weeks, Congress will cast its make-or-break vote on a Budget Reconciliation Bill that would allow oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge. I urge you to pour your heart and soul into defeating that bill.

If you've alerted five friends to the urgency of this effort, mobilize five more:

http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/redfordarctic/tellafriend.asp

Make a donation so that the NRDC Action Fund can run ads mobilizing the public in key Congressional districts:

https://www.nrdcactionfund.org/arcticad/donate.asp

Write a personal, hand-written letter to your Representative:

http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/redfordarctic/arcticvoters.asp

Please do what it takes to win. Because all the beauty and wildness we've worked so hard to protect over the past 30 years could be lost in a single day.

We can win this fight, but only if we build overwhelming public pressure on Congress one person at a time. Thank you for joining with me to make it happen.

Sincerely,

Robert Redford
NRDC Action Fund

-There's no time like the present to start making a difference, our public lands are in urgent need of our support - or they will become lost to us forever. -Josh

National Parks for Sale! What the...

House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo is at it again...

He is trying to use the threat of selling 15 National Parks in order to influence oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) (1).

This is the same guy who is currently trying to get rid of the Endangered Species Act!

This guy has a lot of money and power; oil and gas were the #1 industry contributor to Pombo's 2004 campaign, to the tune of $85,693 (2). He also has Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay backing him up, for example:

"I know that Chairman Pombo is committed to ensuring any final bill that reaches the floor has an ANWR provision ... I wholeheartedly supported his efforts in the past and will do so again this year." (3)

In his career, DeLay has received more money from the oil and gas industry than any other industry, totaling $589,900. (4)

Thanks to aggressive corporate lobbying, the false choice between selling our national parks and spoiling the Arctic Refuge is what passes for energy policy in some Washington circles these days.

Instead of fighting for hard-working Americans who need relief at the pump, Mr. Pombo and his allies are fighting to help Exxon get its hands on public resources -- pristine lands that you and I own -- so the mammoth corporation can boost its massive profits by a few million more.

That's not a national energy policy. That's a joke. So, why aren't our leaders fighting for real energy solutions, like improved gas mileage, that will actually lower gas expenses for our families, while protecting our air, land, water and wildlife?

Ask them yourself. Call your senators and representatives:

Let them know Pombo's deceptive tactics aren't working!

http://callcongress.wildlifepromise.com

References:
(1) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050924/ap_on_re_us/arctic_refuge
(2) http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?cid=N00007516&cycle=2004
(3) http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=43228
(4) http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?CID=N00005892

48 Hour Action Alert - The Fate of Our Clean Air will be Decided in 48 Hours!

Important Update from SaveOurEnvironment.org

Last month Hurricane Katrina ripped through Louisiana and Mississippi, killing hundreds of Americans and destroying thousands of homes and lives. This devastating natural disaster also exposed a serious underlying problem -- America is far too dependent on oil. As the cost of fuel continues to skyrocket, some members of Congress have exploited this tragedy by compiling an oil industry wish-list of environmental rollbacks and calling it an emergency energy bill.

But this bill would do nothing to solve our energy problems or help consumers cope with rising energy costs. The House of Representatives will vote on this "No Relief" bill in just 48 hours. Please don't wait- click here to send a free message to your Representative urging him or her to reject this bill!

In a time of crisis, American families should be protected, not exploited and exposed to further risks. This bill uses the recent natural disasters as a pretext to advance a longstanding industry agenda to roll back key Clean Air Act protections.

The consequences would be devastating in communities across the country: more asthma attacks, more heart attacks, and other serious health problems from millions of additional tons of air pollution. The bill also contains new handouts to the oil industry, even as oil companies are reporting record profits, and it actually weakens enforcement provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act by limiting penalties for price gouging.

We have no time to spare - this bill will be voted on in the house this Friday, October 7! Please click here now to send your message to your Representative today.


Fight for the Endangered Species Act with the Sierra Club

Congressman Pombo has recently tried to spin his efforts as ones to improve the Endangered Species Act. However, a close look at Congressman Pombo's legislation shows that his bill would turn back over 30 years of successful stewardship efforts and cripple the ability of Americans to safeguard the nation's fish, wildlife and special places. It is our responsibility to leave for future generations a natural heritage richer than the one we have enjoyed. Congressman Pombo's bill would rob American children of their birthright of abundant fish and wildlife populations. The Senate is poised to take up similar legislation in the coming months. Please oppose this harmful legislation and work to protect all of America's fish and wildlife.

Take Even More Action with the Sierra Club Against the Pombo Extinction Bill

New Picture Addition, Action Alert & Extinction Bill Update

New Picture Added to Shower Bath Hot Springs in Idaho

I was revisiting past trips and came across this picture of Shower Bath Hot Springs in Idaho. I liked this pic in particular because you can actually see the pool located at the base of the geothermal outflow.

Shower Bath Hot Springs

Important Action Alert - Now is your chance to make a difference!

The House of Representatives is moving two new energy bills that would exploit our national tragedy in order to fulfill the fondest dreams of the oil giants: to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge . . . to plunder America's coastal waters . . . and to evade pollution controls on their smog-spewing refineries.

Tell your Representative to vote NO on these shameless giveaways to the oil lobby!


Extinction Bill Update from Katelyn of SaveOurEnvironment.org

Dear Josh & Hot Springs Enthusiasts,

Last week we told you that some members of Congress were attempting to cut the heart out of the Endangered Species Act by decreasing protections for our endangered species and severely weakening the law's vital safeguards. Thank you again for speaking out on behalf our endangered species. Unfortunately, despite all of our best efforts, on September 29, the Pombo Wildlife Extinction bill was passed by a vote of 229 to 193 in the House of Representatives.

This vote is a setback, but the fight to protect our endangered species is far from over. Next, this bill will move to the Senate where we expect yet another tough fight and close vote. We hope that we can count on your support as we continue this battle to protect bald eagles, grizzly bears, Florida manatees and other endangered animals and plants.

The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for our nation'’s most vulnerable species on the brink of extinction. This landmark legislation has successfully protected hundreds of vulnerable species. Representative Pombo'’s bill would cut large holes in this safety net and significantly weaken protections for our nation'’s fish, plants, wildlife, and the places they call home.

The cynically named "“Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act" is an absolute nightmare for threatened and endangered species. One provision would end the protection of critical habitat necessary for the survival and recovery of animals and plants. Another provision states that taxpayers must pay developers to comply with the
Endangered Species Act, setting up a dangerous precedent of paying people not to break the law.

We a’re not about to stop fighting now. We have strong allies in the Senate, and we're working with them to ensure that this extinction bill does not become law. SaveOurEnvironment.org will continue to keep you informed about what you can do to protect our endangered species.

Thank you for all that you do to protect our endangered species.

Katelyn Sabochik
Online Campaign Manager
info@saveourenvironment.org


Happy Soaking!
-Josh (The Hot Springs Guy)

Molly's Tubs & Vulcan Hot Springs in Idaho Revisited

Vulcan Hot Springs 10.01.05
http://www.idahohotsprings.com/destinations/vulcan/index.htm

Hot Dam!

Very nice indeed. Instead of 2 or 3 smaller soaking opportunities that often yielded mixed results we discovered that there is now 1, and it delivers! The large, log-dammed pool was a perfect 103°; excellent for toasty prolonged soaking. On our way in we passed a couple and their dogs (running wild off-leash) and a group of 3 on a 4-wheeler that just barley fit on the trail - all on their way back out. Everyone was cordial, and we found out that they were the ones camping near the trailhead. I was primarily stoked that we were able to enjoy Vulcan properly before the late afternoon storm picked up steam and chased us off.
Rating A+


Molly's Tubs Hot Springs 10.01.05
http://www.idahohotsprings.com/destinations/mollys_tubs/index.htm

Hotpotting Couple Bart & Elayne @ the 'Tubs'

Molly's Tubs are looking quite good these days; the condition of the tubs have improved since my last visit. For some reason, despite all of the other nearby soaking ops, Molly's Tubs remains one of the most popular soaks in the area. There were two ladies and one of their children enjoying a couple hot tubs upon our arrival. This place is usually jam-packed with high-end SUVs, cars etc. I think it's become somewhat 'trendy' to soak in the tubs of late.
Rating: B