Chena Hot Springs in Alaska (video)

Excellent Chena Hot Springs YouTube video clip from AlaskaPodShow.com. I totally dig how the facilities are geothermal-powered. Plus, the Ice Museum is stellar!

Good People Taking Care of a Moose

Relatives of mine that live in north Idaho have an unexpected guest at their mountain home this winter. They are taking care of a Moose calf thanks to a neighbor allegedly poaching the calf's mother. They are great people, and are taking good care of the calf.

Read the full story on Travelin Yeti

Jaiku Hot Springs Channel

View a combined stream of hot springs feeds from a variety of sources on the Jaiku Hot Springs Channel.

Seperate hot springs feeds for forum posts, pictures, videos, events and other hot springs related content can now be viewed together, in a single feed (or stream).

There are subscription options and badges available as well.

View the Jaiku Hot Springs Channel

Kirkham Hot Springs in Idaho [cellcam pic]

Mobile post sent by joshuajames using Utterz. Replies.

A Better Kirkham Hot Springs Video - with Music!

This particular Kirkham Hot Springs video features the "Crappy Ole String Band" playing Cripple Creek.

Which, just happens to feature my good friend Bart, on banjo.

The rest of the band:

Steve Rayne on Bass, Sherry Young on Guitar, Terry Young on Guitar, Makaela Shippy (8 yrs old) on Fiddle and Lanie Shippy (5 yrs old) on Fiddle. Makaela is actually a former Idaho State Fiddle Champ!

The video of Kirkham Hot Springs was shot on 01.06.08.

View the complete listing for Kirkham Hot Springs on IdahoHotSprings.com

Steamy Soaks Await at Kirkham Hot Springs

A quiet hike into scenic Kirkham Hot Springs in Idaho. Located about 2 hours from Boise. Yes, this is the same hot springs where a lesbian gang related scalping took place, unfortunately.

View the complete listing for Kirkham Hot Springs on IdahoHotSprings.com

The Battle for Idaho's Roadless Forests Begins

If there was ever a time for outdoor enthusiasts of all types to come together for the common good - it is now.

The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Central Idaho

Idaho has 9.3 million acres of roadless forests. The largest in the lower 48 by a long-shot, and with development in Alaska approaching, may eventually be the largest in the entire United States.

Right now, this 9.3 million acres is supposed to be protected by the national Roadless Area Conservation rule. This rule was once cast aside by the Bush administration, and was brought back because a Supreme Court Judge ruled against the Bush Administration's illegal tactics.

As of January 7th, 2008 - this is all about to change, at least for Idaho. On this date, the Bush Administration released a Draft Idaho Roadless Rule that would strip protections for millions of acres of Idaho's backcountry forests. The passage of this new rule could bring about the development of 7.6 million acres of once protected forests.

The proposal not only ignores the millions of submitted comments in favor of protecting our forests, but opens the door to road building, drilling, mining and many other forms of invasive development. Simply put, this gives special interests access to Idaho's pristine roadless forests.

If there was ever a time - It Is NOW

The Payette National Forest from Atop Rice Peak

The Forest Service will accept comments from the public until April 7th (Monday). There is currently a total of 16 public hearings scheduled around the state beginning on January 22nd (see below).

Last year, Governor Risch made a commitment to protect the majority of the roadless forests in Idaho. The former Governor is now scheduled to testify at 2 hearings in regard to the new draft. Let's hope he keeps his commitment. The draft contradicts then-Gov. Risch’s commitment to protect 95% of Idaho’s roadless forests when he testified in Washington, DC in November 2006.

If you care about about ensuring that future generations of Idahoans can experience Idaho’s majestic backcountry, the time is now...Let’s Keep Idaho, Idaho.

BACKGROUND

We are blessed in Idaho with over 9.3 million acres of backcountry national forest areas. With one of the fastest growing populations in the country, Idaho's rugged, natural areas are becoming more important for preserving opportunities for outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing and our way of life.

In 2001, protections were developed to protect all remaining national forest roadless areas around the country. That rule REMAINS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

In September 2006, then-Governor Jim Risch petitioned the Forest Service to allow for some development in Idaho's pristine forests. In November 2006, he “clarified” that he was willing to accept protections equivalent to, or stronger, than the 2001 Rule on 8.8 million acres. Now the Forest Service has developed a draft plan that would weaken protections for 7.6 million acres of Idaho's backcountry forests.

These backcountry areas are the source of Idaho's clean water, critical wildlife habitat and offer the opportunity for solitude, a dwindling resource as Idaho continues to grow.

THE TIME TO SPEAK OUT IS NOW!

PUBLIC MEETINGS

The Forest Service will be hosting 16 public meetings across the state beginning January 22 and continuing until February 28.  A FULL LIST of the meeting locations and times is below. It will be CRITICAL for Idahoans to show up at these meetings and voice their support for maintaining current protections for the backcountry roadless areas we cherish.

GET INVOLVED

Along with a number conservation groups from across the state, the Idaho Conservation League (ICL) will be hosting presentations and meetings in communities around Idaho to let YOU know about the draft plan, and what YOU can do to protect these special places. If you would like more information about attending a meeting, or scheduling a meeting for any group you’re involved with (fishing, hunting, conservation group, audubon, sierra club, or even a group of friends!) please contact TOM SCHWARZ at tschwarz@wildidaho.org or toll-free at 877-345-6933 ext. 27. Tom will also be coordinating transportation to public meetings if you live in a community not served by one of the public meetings (i.e. Moscow, McCall, Sandpoint).

We are also encouraging supporters to submit LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to your local paper AND the Idaho Statesman (editorial@idahostatesman.com) encouraging attendance at local meetings and raising concerns with the draft plan.

Finally, please make sure to EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS to IDcomments@fsroadless.org or CLICK HERE for the submit form

MORE INFO

You can get more information, points to comment on, the Draft Idaho Roadless Rule, the Draft environmental analysis, and links to more at www.wildidaho.org/update.php

Additional roadless info at www.roadless.fs.fed.us/idaho

IDAHO PUBLIC MEETINGS

NORTH IDAHO

January 22, 2007
Bonners Ferry
Kootenai River Inn
7169 Plaza St. Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
7:00 PM

January 23, 2007
Coeur d’ Alene
Kootenai CountyCourthouse
451 Government Way Rm 1A/1B
Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83816
6:00 PM

January 24, 2007
Kellogg
ID Dept. of Healthy and Welfare Office
35 Wildcat Way
Kellogg, ID 83837
6:00 PM
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO

January 28, 2007
Orofino
Clearwater County Courthouse
150 Michigan Avenue
Orofino, ID 83544
7:00 PM

January 29, 2007
Lewiston
Red Lion Hotel
621 21st Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
7:00 PM

January 30, 2007
Grangeville
Super 8 Motel
801 SW 1st Street
Grangeville, ID 83530
7:00 PM

CENTRAL IDAHO

February 11, 2007
Salmon
Brooklyn Annex
200 Fulton
Salmon, ID 83467
7:00 PM

February 12, 2007
Challis
Custer County Courthouse
Main Street
Challis, ID 83226
7:00 PM

February 13, 2007
Hailey
Blaine County Courthouse
206 South 1st Avenue, Ste 200
Hailey, ID 83333
7:00 PM

February 14, 2007
Mackay
Mackay City Hall
203 S. Main Street
Mackay, ID 83251
7:00 PM

SOUTHEAST IDAHO

February 20, 2007
Idaho Falls
Shilo Inn
Grand Teton Rm
780 Lindsey Blvd
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
6:00 PM

February 21, 2007
Pocatello
Holiday Inn
1399 Bench Road
Pocatello, ID 83201
6:00 PM

SOUTHWEST IDAHO

February 25, 2007
Cascade
Valley County
Courthouse
219 N. Main Street
Cascade, ID 83611
7:00 PM

February 26, 2007
Council
Adams County Courthouse
201 Industrial Ave Council, ID 83612
7:00 PM

February 27, 2007
Twin Falls
Twin Falls City Council Chambers
305 3rd Avenue East
Twin Falls, ID 83301
7:00 PM

February 28, 2007
Boise
Boise City Hall
150 N Capitol Blvd Boise, ID 83702
7:00 PM

Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs in Idaho [video]

I recently stumbled on this video of Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs, which is located near Hailey Idaho.



View Pictures, Ratings and Trip Reports on Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs

View from Kirkham

View from Kirkham
Originally uploaded by disruptive

The sun came out in between snow storms!! :D

[View more pics and vids of Kirkham Hot Springs]

Kirkham Hot Springs

Kirkham Hot Springs
Originally uploaded by disruptive

An excellent Sunday Soak.

[View more pics and vids of Kirkham Hot Springs]

Idaho's Backcountry Forests at Risk

URGENT: 6 of Idaho's 9 Million Acres of Roadless Forests are Currently at Risk!

Recently the Bush administration initiated a national rule making that will decide the fate of more than 9.3 million acres of roadless areas in Idaho's national forests. These areas currently enjoy protection under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The proposed rule could open the door to mining, logging, road construction, oil and gas development as well as other corporate special interests on as many as 6 million acres of these pristine forests.

Idaho's roadless areas make up the core of the last intact forest ecosystem in the lower 48 states — where all of the native plants, fish and wildlife — from the smallest plant to the largest predator — can still be found.

The Forest Service is now accepting public comments. The time to act is now! Sign the letter to let the Forest Service know that you want all of Idaho's Roadless Areas protected — and that the public needs to be given more time to comment.

TAKE ACTION!

Snively Hot Springs in Oregon Pics

Pictures from a recent visit to Snively Hot Springs in Oregon from the Hot Springs Forums.