Indian Springs, Challis, Miracle and Little Anderson Hot Springs Updates

A handful of hot springs updates from around the state...

• The latest on the Indian Springs Resort and RV Park land sale... I didn't realize there was a public auction for this land two years ago

• Sad news about a young boy that drown in the commercialized Challis Hot Springs late January

• Ë=mÇwË¥Ëñ²x (McWeyen) has a great picture up and information about a recent visit to Little Anderson Hot Springs near Garden Valley, Idaho (good news about the springs), here's what Little Anderson looked like last time I visited...

• I'll have some pics/vids up soon from a recent visit to Miracle Hot Springs in southern Idaho
  

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.

Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs in Idaho

A difficult hike in rugged wilderness is rewarded with a barley used hot springs complete with excellent primitive camping. You'll want to at least do this one as an overnighter, at least. However, you will have to work for your soak aside from the challenging hike in; spring runoff destroys the lower pools and the upper pool is overtaken with horse fly larva, algae and silt due to low usage.



Main access roads only open July-October (sometimes November) or August-September depending on which way you are coming.

Camping Notes
Excellent large primitive site near the hot springs with a nice fire pit, log ties and level ground.



Trip Report

07.17.07
Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs aka Sitz Bath was pretty cool. The primitive camping was great, but due to other stellar soaks in the area we opted to leave it be. However, on our way out, we witnessed a small army of horse people setting up camp. There was a man with buckets galore going to town on the upper pool while at least 6 large tents were being erected nearby. There was even a naked little boy running through camp, screaming and with poo all over himself. Nice. If this little soak wasn't in wilderness, I would have rated it lower.
Rating: C

View the Warm Springs Creek 07.17.07 Video

View the complete listing for Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs in Idaho

Fires and the Frank

Well, I'm back. Fresh from a week of backpacking to remote hot springs in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. I think I'm still feeling a little culture shock.

It was a different kind of drive back home from the trailhead. The sky was stained dark orange from all of the wildfire smoke. Fire planes and helicopters filled the air with unnatural noise. I passed what seemed like acres of land, dotted by hundreds of multicolored firefighter tents.

The most stunning was when driving by Bonneville Hot Springs. It was on fire, as well as the area around it. Human started, of course. Evacuated campers with concerned faces lined part of the road near the campground entrance while first responders battled the blaze. Chunks of burning earth tumbled to the ground as fire personnel waved me through. I caught glimpse of a small row of firefighters that were collapsed back to back on the side of the road, with faces flushed red from exhaust and blackened by soot.

Shower Bath, Owen Cabin and Upper Loon Hot Springs Picture Additions

I was perusing through the archive and discovered a few pictures from the best backpacking trip I've ever been on which should have gone up a long time ago. The pictures are of Upper Loon, Owen Cabin and Shower Bath Hot Springs - all located within the boundaries of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho.

Upper Loon Picture Hot Springs Additions:

My best friend, Brandon enjoying Crescent Moon


Brandon at Tin Cup Campground near the Trailhead

Owen Cabin Hot Springs Picture Additions:

Where the outflow meets Loon Creek


Heading down the trail to the historic Owen Family Cabin

Shower Bath Hot Springs Picture Additions:

Brandon navigating the Narrows


The Historic Warm Springs Ranger Cabin