The Last Two Soaks of 2007 [Video]

Here's the video footage from two excellent hot spring soaks in the Payette and Boise National Forests in central Idaho.



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Happy New Year!!!!

HSG

The Story of Stuff

I always come back from wilderness pack trips different. I'm reminded of the insane amount of waste we produce, stuff we have, ridiculous inhibitions we hold on to. I truly believe that there are two core problems we face in life as a society; education and over population. And, everything boils down to education. Peace. Health. Pollution. The Environment. Almost every challenge, threat and problem we face can be traced back to either of the two.

The more time I spend in nature, with only my backpack to provide the two primary staples of food and shelter, the more attune I become with myself and the world. If only I could backpack more, as to keep rejuvenated mentalities and perspectives fresh.

Wilderness is inspiring. My best ideas have come from the result of a wilderness adventure. One week away from all of the noise, advertising, routines and hustle and bustle of everyday life is liberating in so many ways.

The Story of Stuff, a 20 minute video by Free Range Studios, encapsulates much of what I've come to learn since I started backpacking in 1999 - and then some. It's an eye-opening look at the world we are living in. Check it out:

Visit the official website

Download the full version (50MB) [have a viewing party]:

Holdover Hot Springs Cellcam Pic

Holdover Hot Springs

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Holdover Hot Springs Cellcam Pic

Holdover Hot Springs

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Cell Vid Heading Towards Warm Lake

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Cell Vid of Trail Creek Hot Springs

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Cell Vid of Holdover Hot Springs

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Boise National Forest Wildfire Aftermath

Boise National Forest Wildfire Aftermath
Originally uploaded by disruptive

This was taken yesterday in the Warm Lake / Krassel area NE of Cascade, Idaho.


People who have vacation homes in orlando frequently pick the midwest airlines for their flights to orlando. Since they don’t have to spend on the hotel, they can spare the money for the airline ticket and occasionally may also be seen traveling on the emirates airline.

Lava Hot Springs Video from ILiveInMyTruck.com

This guy is great! I've been following his adventures from the start, you should too.

All kinds of flights even on turkish airlines have become so expensive that people are opting to travel by train or use travel trailers instead. In a similar fashion luxury hotels are out of question. They look for a discount hotel and in case of longer stay, a cheap car rental service.

Soak.net Down for the Count?

It doesn't look good for longtime hot springer hangout soak.net. Updates stopped a few years ago on the static side of the site, leaving the forums members to wonder if their soak seeking community was in jeopardy. Despite the lack of updates, the forums lived on.

It wasn't until about a year ago when the spam came. Breaking threads, marketing posts of every kind went un-moderated. And, then... silence. Offline. How do I know this? Well, I've been hanging out on soak.net for some time. I'm also very sad to see it finally go down.

So, where to go now? There's a couple new geothermal enthusiast hangouts that have started to gain momentum. One to note is the FindHotSprings.com Forums. All of the forums software is up-to-date, there are a couple moderators, the community is growing and members seem to be quite helpful.

FindHotSprings.com is actually a very unique website aside from the forums. It's basically a portal for all things hot springs. It's content comes from all over the web. From the latest New Zealand hot springs YouTube videos to blog posts on Yellowstone hot springs. As soon as it hits the web, if it's hot springs related, it's on FindHotSprings.com. Way cool.

If you were a soak.net member, you might find some value out of this link. It leads to the archived soak.net forums, where you can read past posts and grab member info.

Know of any other great online hot springs hangouts? Please, comment away!

Best Wishes,

Red River Hot Springs in Idaho

KXLY recently ran a story on Red River Hot Springs in Idaho. Here's the video clip:

Here's the article

Looks like a nice soak for a commercial hot springs.

View a map of commercial hot springs in Idaho

IdahoHotSprings.com Updated

IdahoHotSprings.com has recently been updated with new navigation buttons and layout, plus a new logo. Take a peek!

Two Back-Flips into a Hot Springs Pool

Short video clip includes underwater footage.

Note: I am in the process of cleaning up the blog; this is another post I found in draft version that didn't make it for some reason. Enjoy.

Forest Service Road 698 to Boiling Springs Closed

FYI The Middle Fork Road north of Crouch Idaho (FSR 698) is closed just past the fork to Silver Springs Plunge. That is, if snow hasn't already closed the road.

You can still make it to Fire Crew, but put your plans for Boiling Springs, Pine Burl, Moondipper, Groundhot and Butterfly on hold. If Fire Crew is your destination, good luck, the pools are sizzlin hot!

Thanks Nick for the update, as well as everyone else for sending in other updates. I'll get the rest up soon.

Peace outside, HSG

A Thanksgiving Reflection on Wilderness By Bethine Church

When reflecting on the blessings that have enriched my life, I sometimes register these gifts at random, as though going through a file drawer of important things too rarely visited. Thinking of one always suggests others.

When that happens, wild places are high on my list. There is so much cement and blacktop, so much noise, in our lives! It is a blessing to be able to see places as God made them. I grew up on a ranch in Idaho and these special places were the backdrop for our lives. They have continued to be. When Frank and I were courting, there was a meadow near our ranch, right on the edge of the White Cloud Mountains. We would camp there and simply watch the stars as stars are meant to be seen.

That is an experience almost unattainable today but for protected wild places. Unless we fight to preserve them, our children and grandchildren will have that much less to be thankful for.

And that leads me to another gift for which I am thankful: the millions of Americans who rarely get to visit these places but who nonetheless rise up in defense of wilderness as both special place and vibrant idea. This is an act of generosity and faith. Surely, it is also an act of thanksgiving.

When Frank was working to guide the Wilderness Act of 1964 through the Senate, many of our Idaho neighbors said, "Oh, wilderness is just something for easterners, for rich people, not for us." They were wrong.

It is gratifying to see how Americans use wilderness today - as families, even toddlers, with backpacks large and small! That has been the case in our family, too. We've rafted together down the River of No Return in what is now the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Those experiences strengthened our family and left our children and grandchildren a priceless legacy: a love of unspoiled places.

And as I sift through my little file cabinet of blessings, I am thankful for you and other WildAlert subscribers. We have a saying here in the West: "When you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know it didn't get there by itself." We could not have come as far as we have come in our wilderness journey without you - without your willingness to act, without your generosity, without your commitment.

As I celebrate this most American of holidays with my own family, I will be thinking of you and yours. Thankfully.

-Bethine Church

-----------------------------------------

True that! Idaho is lucky to have active Wilderness defenders like Bethine.

-HSG

Weekend of Nov. 24-25: Idaho Hot Springs Event

Backpack to an Unusable Hot Springs
Saturday-Sunday, November 24-25

General Information (from Mike and Debbie)

We'll backpack 3.5 easy-grade miles, passing several other usable hot springs (possible quick soaks), to a despicable wallow, where we'll set up our camp. Of course, there's a price to pay: 8 river crossings with knee deep cold water-exhilarating. Be tough or bring wetsuit booties/wetsocks. We'll leave early Sat morning (time and place TBA) and return Sun afternoon. As usual, you must bring something (food, drink, poem, etc.) to share with the group. Limited. For more details or to sign up, contact Mike or Debbie at 384-1545 (Boise).

--------------------------------------------

It looks like I will be out of town for this one, if any of you make it, let me know how it goes.

Peace, HSG

Rocky Canyon, Hot Springs Campground and Skinnydipper Updates

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho



Less trash, lower temperatures (just barley hot enough to soak) and a freezing river ford... in a nutshell. All in all a great soak. Although my friend experienced a couple bites that he thought to be red spider mites. Hmmm. Maybe, maybe not.
Rating: B+

View 11.12.07 Rocky Canyon Hot springs Video Clip

View Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho Complete Listing


Hot Springs Campground in Idaho



Dang. This place was the most thrashed and trashed I've ever witnessed. My gut feeling was that the parking lot and campground directly across the highway that was full of hunters had something to do with that. I really hope not, but why the crap won't they clean it up? The temperature clocked in at 101, but I didn't stick around to soak more than my appendages. Hot Springs Campground is a decent soak, but with so many other stellar soaks in the neighborhood, why?
Rating D

Watch the video clip

View the complete listing


Skinnydipper Hot Springs in Idaho



We tried to sneak a soak at Skinny in the am, but the 6 cars in the pullout drove us on to nearby hot springs. However, on the way back, a huge rainstorm hit. Our hopes that the storm had chased off all of Mile Marker 4's soakers was confirmed when we rounded the bend on the Banks-Lowman highway. Soaking in Skinnydipper during any kind of storm is a personal favorite. The icing on the cake was almost non-existent trash.
Rating: A+

View the complete listing for Skinnydipper

Hot Springs in the Boise National Forest

I made a trip up to Rocky Canyon, Campground and Skinnydipper Hot Springs with Stoney. The video includes the first two, but it was raining too hard for any Skinnydipper flimage. Both hot springs are located north of Boise Idaho, in the Boise National Forest.

Brief Updates on Moondipper and Pine Burl

Moondipper Hot Springs in Idaho



09.17.07
Not much new to report here, no trash is always good though, but the soak - too hot!
Rating: X

View the complete listing for Moondipper Hot Springs in Idaho


Pine Burl Hot Springs in Idaho



09.17.07
Yuk! The pool was mucky and silty, temps were all over the place... what happened here?
Rating: D-

View the complete listing for Pine Burl Hot Springs in Idaho

Boiling Springs Trip Report

09.17.07 Boiling Springs Hot Springs in Idaho Trip Report



It was a beautiful day to be hiking around in the Boise National Forest. Our soaking party met a nice couple on their way out - they were as red as lobsters! They had somehow managed to withstand 110-113 degree temperatures for over an hour... yikes! I couldn't take sticking my foot in for longer than a minute. The pools were silty, but the water was clear. This one is just too hot to enjoy prolonged soaking.
Rating: D

Watch the video clip

View the complete listing for Boiling Springs

A cheap hotel deal with really cheap airline tickets is still considered the best of the travel gifts. The flights to canada often comply to such travel deals, giving in to the customization, offering flight tracking as well.

Walk in the Light

The Hot Springs Guy (.com) has gone through a few upgrades and has a new light and wide look.

Here's a rundown of the upgrades and new features:

• Domain name issues cleared up - you can access my blog with or without the 'www' before hotspringsguy.com
• New subscription options - get my blog updates via AOL Instant Messenger, Twitter, Skype or regular old e-mail
  
• Video subscription options - get my hot springs video updates via iTunes or your preference of podcast readers, even e-mail
• New blogroll - the old blogroll has been replaced with a new one, courtesy of google reader
• Twit This and Blog This functionality added to all posts - with one click, you can shoot off a tweet on Twitter or re-blog the post to your blog
  

HSG

Mile-16 History Lesson

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

Nov. 10-11 Sitting Bull Hot Springs in Idaho Clean-Up

For details or to sign up, contact Mike or Debbie Allen. Car camping at the campground (toilets, no water) at beautiful Martin Lake at 7000'.

Additional Information

FYI - I am not running this, but am hoping to make it. -HSG

Skinnydipper Hot Springs Federal Closure Order - No Joke!

Here's the link to the federal nighttime closure order for Skinnydipper Hot Springs AKA Mile Marker 4. The nighttime closure order remains in effect until May 24, 2009, and cites public safety as the reason for the closure.

The 2004 order was enacted in response to a surge in disorderly activity; gang fights in the pullout, tires slashed, windows broken... etc. However, signs posting the sunrise to sunset closure are continuously defaced and/or removed; making it difficult for officers to write tickets. To my knowledge, all posted closure signs have been either removed or have been defaced, and the hot springs/pullout has been in full swing. So, I don't know. It's been awhile since I've been up at night, but I've seen the aftermath in the a.m. many, many times.

This particular hot springs is actually administered by the BLM, despite being located in the Boise National Forest.

Why? Because the land around Skinnydipper is considered to be in critical condition. Did you catch that? CRITICAL CONDITION. This means pick up your trash, don't deface federal signs, don't even bring glass, don't take switchbacks (stay on the main, most-used, marked trail), pick up trash (even trash that isn't yours!!) and maybe, just maybe Skinnydipper Hot Springs can be saved.

Give them one more reason and they'll take it away.

Peace, HSG

The flights to rome italy are providing a number of discounts due to which everyone now is keen to go airlines. Even flights to amsterdam are following this suit now. This has made travel so much more comfortable, with more resorts and hotels sprouting in these destinations, offering really comfortable hotel rooms.

Super-Soak at Skinnydipper (video)

What more can I say, one of Idaho's best. Here's more on Skinnydipper...

Sunrise Soaking at Skinnydipper

Skinnydipper, AKA Mile Marker 4/Deer Creek Hot Springs, is one of just a handful of hot springs that are within 1-2 hours from Boise, Idaho. Drive time from Boise is approximately 1 hour.



Skinnydipper is Idaho's most recent hot springs discovery. In the 1990s, Hot Springs Harley found and cultivated the hot springs with Keeper Ken's help into what it is today. The .25 mile hike up from the Banks-Lowman Highway pullout is steep and treacherous at times. A loose-knit group of volunteers labeled "Keepers" maintain the trail, pools and plumbing. Weekend and summer partying can get out of hand, especially on the weekend. Fights, vandalism and vehicle break-ins have been known to occur during peak usage.



A chain of large and deep, rock and mortar pools are located high above the busy Banks-Lowman highway. Water is piped-in with the ability to quickly adjust the temperature with valves for each pool. Please note, the Keepers request that you leave the plumbing and values alone at the top pool.



10.21.07 Trip Report

Skinny was awesome... arriving early is the only way to go. However, being the first on any Sunday has one major downfall... trash from Saturday night. I've never seen so much trash at a hot springs before, even Skinnydipper - the most abused in the entire state. There were glow sticks, cigs, candles, beer, wine, liquor, clothing, towels and more. I about died coming back down with all of that crap, and the smell inside my truck on the way back to Boise was choice to say the least.



Aside from the trash, the soak was stellar. It's a shame that the small group of volunteers work so hard just so the masses can keep trashing Skinny. Hat's off to the Keepers, you know who you are. And, a big thumbs down to those of you who don't pick up others' trash.
Rating: A-

View other pictures from this trip on my flickr account...

View the complete listing for Skinnydipper Hot Springs in Idaho

Grab the Hot Springs Guy Widget

Presenting The Hot Springs Guy Widget...



I know, totally stellar. What's that you say? You want one on your website, myspace and/or other online profile? Well then, here you go...

Mid-October Soak @ Trail Creek Hot Springs in Idaho (video)

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

Warm Lake Area Road Closure

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.

Trail Creek Hot Springs

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

Above the Springs (pic)

Above the Springs
Originally uploaded by Rebecca Ellen

Great picture of Jerry Johnson Hot Springs in Idaho. This is the first source of 3 along the trail, known as the "waterfall-fed pools".

And Global Warming Doesn't Exist...

While Idaho Falls, Idaho is experiencing winter, places like Chicago are in the 90s. Yeah, there's definitely no such thing as Global Warming.

Boiling Springs Hot Springs Video Clip

At the end of a forest road in the Boise National Forest, north of the town of Crouch lies the historic Boiling Springs Guard Station - which is available for rent by reservation only. The real treat is the nearby hot springs; featuring rock walled pools with rock/sand bottoms that have minor amounts of silt/algae.

View all formats of this video (Flash/Quicktime etc.)

View the complete listing for Boiling Springs Hot Springs in Idaho

Basin Creek Campground Hot Springs near Stanley Idaho

General Description
Rocky user built pools that feature fluctuating temperatures with heavy silt bottoms.

Seasonal Notes
Pools submerge during high water.

Camping Notes
No camping at the hot springs since the campground is no more. However, plenty of official campgrounds along HWY 75 and even some primitive camping options.

Old Camping Notes
Hot Springs are located in Basin Creek Campground off HWY 75 along Basin Creek. There is a trail leading to the hot springs from campsite #4. There is also access via the dirt road on the other side of Basin Creek.




08.05.07 Trip Report

The main pool was too cool and the source pool too hot. Plenty of slit and not so great temps prevented me from soaking. I think a better pool could be built, but spring runoff will destroy it every season. Why? When there are so many other great soaks nearby. Too close to the highway anyways.
Rating: D



08.18.06 Trip Report

Basin Creek Campground is no more. Apparently, the flooding damage was too great. I wanted to check on the hot springs but the side road was closed due to bridge construction. The bridge crossing Basin Creek had washed out.

View the complete listing for Basin Creek Campground Hot Springs in Idaho

Cozy Cove Public Hot Springs in Idaho

Cove AKA Kem AKA Basin Creek Hot Springs in Central Idaho near Stanley.



General Description
Rocky user built pools with gravel/rock bottoms that are a short hike from the highway parking area near Stanley.



Seasonal Notes
Pools submerge during high water.

Camping Notes
No camping at the hot springs. However, plenty of official campgrounds along HWY 75 and even some primitive camping options.



08.05.07 Trip Report

Maybe next time? The temps were too sucky... again. I soaked my feet, though.
Rating: D



View the complete listing for Cove Hot Springs in Idaho

Hoodoo Hot Springs

General Description
A rebar reinforced 6 person sunken wooden box (approx. 6ft x 6ft/3ft depth) with seating, cold and hot water plumbing and a drain plug await at the end of a short hike and a bumpy, unpaved forest service road. Please drain after use to preserve the soaking box.

Seasonal Notes
Spring runoff has demolished the structure erected at the hot springs time and time again; imagine what could happen to the road - drive carefully in spring.

Typically, during winter, locals try to keep the road to the hot springs plowed. However, keep in mind the geographic location of this hot springs; 10 inches of snow can drop in mere hours. Again, be very careful. It should also be noted that harsh summer storms can oftentimes turn the road into a muck pot - there have been a few times where the road has actually washed away - leaving campers and hot springers stranded until rescue.

Camping Notes
Plenty of nearby National Forest primitive sites to choose from along the forest road, and many primitive and official campgrounds along highway 75. New for 05/06 is a small camping site next to the parking area trailhead. Don't camp here unless you are ready for round-the-clock visitors.

08.03.07 - 08.05.07 Trip Report

Great trip, stellar soak. Increase in trash and bugs; moderate amount of visitors. I encountered an interesting couple on the evening of the 4th. After the couple had been soaking for around 5 hours I went to get my soak-on. The two textiles were friendly enough. However, the dude was heavily wasted and kept asking me question after question while being totally rude to his wife. She eventually convinced him to leave, but not after I endured a full hour of not so nice banter. I sunk down into the hot springs after they left, looked up and let out a big sigh. The blanket of stars above my head more than made up for it.
Rating: A

View the Complete Listing for Slate Creek Hot Springs in Central Idaho

Whether you are looking for chicago hotel reservations or bookings at other cheap hotels, you need to do this fast because due to high number of cheap flights being offered along with travel nursing, every travel agent is booking the hotels like crazies. Even indian airlines are being booked to the brim.

Photos Published... Get Your Schmap On!

A couple of my photos of the Boise National Forest and Boise have been published in the third edition of the Boise Schmap Guide.

Here's the widgit:



And, here's the direct links:

Schmap Boise 1

Schmap Boise 2

Peace, HSG

Rocky Canyon Delight

09.17.07 Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Trip Report

There's not much more to say that wasn't said in the 06.16.07 trip report - meaning Rocky Canyon Hot Springs was indeed a sweet soak. Since it was a Monday, forest service road traffic seemed light compared to last time. There was still a steady stream of vehicles, mostly hunters.



It was a beautiful day, the river ford was freezing (see video) and the soak stellar. Light trash (no dirty diapers this time) around and in the hot springs, and the road in was in much better condition. Which can be accredited to all of the firefighter traffic from throughout the summer.
Rating: A

View the complete listing for Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho

Fire Ban Restriction Removed in Idaho

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.

Soaking in Oregon

Soaking
Originally uploaded by Melinda Mary

Great pic of two people enjoying a Hot Springs in Oregon.

Alaska's Secret Slaughter

Watch the video below then take action! Note: This is what is going up in north-central Idaho - aerial gunning in the Clearwater.

Reflection

Reflection
Originally uploaded by EcoSnake

Something I like to keep in mind.

Hot Soaks With a View: Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Video

North of Crouch, Idaho - on the far side of the Middle Fork Payette River lies Rocky Canyon Hot Springs.

View the complete listing for Rocky Canyon

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Don't Ever Pay for 411 Again

Never pay for directory assistance again! Watch the video below, then add 1.800.GOOG.411 to your cell.



Other free 411 alternatives? I thought you'd never ask; 1.800.373.3411 is another free directory assistance service provider.

Google Earth and US Hot Springs

Download all of the US hot springs NGDC GPS coordinates to Google Earth for free, here's the file with the hot springs coordinates.

If you need Google Earth, well you are in luck; it's free! Click here to download Google Earth.

Northwest Hot Springs Photo Book

Get yourself a copy of the photo book 'Northwest Hot Springs Volume 1'; it features 44 select images taken from years of hot springs trips - from yours truly.

Goofing Off at Frenchman's Bend (video clip)

Here's a video of some dudes goofing while enjoying a winter soak at Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs near Ketchum, Idaho.



Video source

McCall / Burgdorf Hot Springs Wildfire Update

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

Warm Lake Area Wildfire 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

Shower Bath Wildfire Update

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

YouTube Western US Hot Springs Player

Here it is, my YouTube player for all Western US Hot Springs... enjoy:

Bernard Warm Springs Video Clip

View the complete listing for Bernard Warm Springs in Idaho

Bernard Warm Springs near Cascade, Idaho

A long forgotten warm springs located in the Boise National Forest near Cascade, Idaho. Bernard, also known as Smalley, was at one time a full-fledged hot springs resort. The pool today lies in the remnants of the resort's foundation. The seldom used pool features rock and log/tarp walls and has a sandy/gravel bottom with lots of algae and silt.



Seasonal Notes
The Forest Service Road that provides access is snow covered all winter until approximately April or May. It would be advisable to have a 4x4 during the wet seasons. Possible snowmobile access during winter months.

Camping Notes
There are a few primitive sites near the springs (not very private). Also many other primitive sites accessible from the main forest road. Beware of Poison Ivy!



08.11.07 Trip Report

I would have stayed the night and enjoyed another soak had it not been for all of the cow pies... and cows! The pool was in much better shape than my last visit, which was over 4 years ago. My how time flies. Reminds me of a Dave Matthews Band quote "Life is short but sweet for certain..."
Rating: C+

View the complete listing for Bernard Warm Springs in Idaho

Now That's a Spider Web

"Entomologists are debating the origin and rarity of a sprawling spider web that blankets several trees, shrubs and the ground along a 200-yard stretch of trail in a North Texas park." More...