The Return to Skillern Hot Springs III

09.25.09 - 09.26.09 Skillern Hot Springs

Video Clip

Skillern Hot Springs

Skillern Hot Springs

The soak at Pries at the end of the day was the icing on the cake.

View the full trip report for Skillern Hot Springs on IHS

View Preis Hot Springs on IHS

It's Time to Take Action for Idaho Roadless Forests

Idaho's pristine roadless areas need a little of your help. The majority of roadless land in the United States is shared between Idaho and Alaska. FYI, roadless land only represents approx. 2% of all land nationwide. There isn't much left.

Why Idaho?

Idaho is the ONLY state not covered by the Roadless Rule. Over 9 million acres are at risk! Please sign the Roadless Idaho Petition asking President Obama to restore Roadless Rule protections to the state of Idaho.

Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com

Hoodoo Hot Springs, Lake and Mine

August is a great time to visit the White Cloud Mountains, located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), northeast of Stanley, Idaho.

Hoodoo Hot Springs is also located in the White Clouds, and is near multiple backcountry trailheads to alpine lakes that are anywhere from a 2 mile jaunt to a 20 mile expedition to reach.

While Hoodoo Lake is a mere 2 miles/2K ft hike, the trail is … rustic to say the least. Twists, snags, deadfall, huge boulders, jagged cliffs, scenic waterfalls and incredible views of the White Clouds; this hike has it all.

Bring lots of water, there’s any icy cool lake waiting at the top and a stellar soak at the bottom near the haunted Hoodoo Mines. J/K. Or, am I?

The access road, appropriately numbered FSR 666 is a tire killer. I made it in and out ok, but 3 of 6 other vehicles that drove into the area took on flat tires.

And, the bugs! Were insane! I’ve been out here a few times a few different years and this one took the gold. Luckily, I had a mesh shelter that I finally got to put to the test … it was so awesome to be able to take a bug break, especially when eating. At least it was only during the day, shortly after nightfall they thinned out quick. High altitude has that effect.

The hike to the lake was a surprise challenge. The reward at the top made it more than worth the brutal scramble during 90 degree heat. And, the hot spring at the bottom felt good on the muscles and took the chill out of the evening mountain air.

Visiting Jerry in Early June

After Revver held up the processing of this video for a couples months due to the large amount of awesomeness involved I finally gave up and uploaded to YouTube.



I'm actually quite chatty early on in the clip, but then dwindle off for some reason. Sweet low-quality footage of a beautiful national forest and hot springs, however.

More about Jerry

A Tasty Tiramisu Treat

Backcountry Tiramisu Camp Recipe

Super delish Tiramisu can now be your next favorite backcountry treat!

Serves 2-3 

Here's what you need:

• 1/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  
• 2 tablespoons Kahlua (get one of those mini-bottles from the liquor store)
  
• 3.4-ounce packet of instant white chocolate pudding
  
• 2 cups milk (use 2/3 cup powdered milk plus 2 cups water)
• 16 ladyfingers
  
• Dark chocolate

Here's what to do:

1. Heat water to a boil, then mix in espresso and Kahlua.
2. Make pudding according to package directions.
3. Place six ladyfingers in the bottom of a pot; drizzle with half of the espresso mixture, then half of the pudding over it. Repeat to form a second layer.
4. Use a pocketknife to shave thin strips of chocolate on top and serve.

And, a video to show you how:

If you try this out please post a comment! I am planning on it in a few days.

On a Lighter Note...

Just when I finally figured out how to reduce this blog's ranking for the search tearm "hot guy" (ugh) another blip on the radar appeared...



Now I've gotta figure out how to separate traffic from the good ol Hot Springs Hotel franchise.

Idaho Wolf Hunt is Unfortunately a Go

The Idaho wolf hunt officially started on September 1st, 2009. I’ve blogged about Idaho’s misguided, misunderstood and uneducated views about wolves a few times in the past.

Essentially the state is issuing a ton of wolf tags in order to reach the kill threshold of 220 wolves. If just a portion of the tags are used, Idaho’s entire population of approx. 1,000 wolves could all be slaughtered. There are no stipulations regarding wolf pups and mothers nursing pups in addition to alpha male and female wolves. If too many of the wolves are killed, the grey wolves will return to the endangered species list and reintroduction efforts will begin anew… costing taxpayers a ton of money for reintroduction – again.

Here’s a couple quotes I pulled from a Defenders of Wildlife statement:

“No other endangered species has ever been delisted at such a low population level and then immediately hunted to even lower unsustainable levels. This clearly is not responsible wolf management.”

“Idaho’s wildlife agency has stated that its intent is to reduce the population to only 518 wolves, while the Idaho state legislature’s official policy is that all wolves be removed ‘by whatever means necessary.’”

- Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife

Send a Message to President Obama Asking Him to Take Action to Stop the Idaho Wolf Hunt!

Politico FAIL

The Idaho wolf hunt sparked off the “Obama Tags” controversy with yet another example of stellar political representation of Idaho. Honestly, it is getting more and more difficult to tell people I live in Idaho. Read this NYT Opinion piece : Hunting Wolves, and Men for more.

The Bottom Line

Wolves are a natural part of a thriving, healthy ecosystem. Since their reintroduction to Idaho deer and elk numbers have actually increased. Many hunters mistakenly blame the devil wolves for killing off the deer and elk (and on occasion stealing their women and whiskey) available for hunting when in fact, their numbers are rising. Fear and lack of education is a dangerous mix.

Many of the anti-wolf crowd think wolves are going to eat their children – seriously. All things considered, one has a greater chance of being struck by lightning. Yes. Lightning.

My personal experience with wolves have all been positive. I’ve backpacked, hiked and camped all over Idaho in areas with wolves and have never once experienced a problem. Wolves do not like people – at all. Wolf encounters typically occur in areas where human habitation has overtaken wolf habitation. Meaning, they’ve got no place to go.

Bad News, Good News

Environmental groups were recently told by a federal judge that wolf delisting from endangered species act protections was likely illegal. Despite this, the judge won’t grant an injunction against the hunt, however, a future lawsuit may restore the wolves to protected status. As of this writing 8 wolves have already been killed.

Learn more about how to help wolves, visit SaveWolves.org!

Ask Obama to Stop the Idaho Wolf Hunt!