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
  

Rocky Canyon Ruckus

It looks like there might be some trouble brewing at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. According to this forums post, the Boise National Forest has plans to dismantle the improved pools.

Here's the post:

I have had a very disturbing conversation with the district ranger Boise National Forest, area around Crouch. Includes these hot springs. They told me that these rebuilt pools are going to be "dismantled" because there was no permit issued for the building of them. I have written a letter with a copy to his boss. District Ranger attn: John Erickson 1805 Hwy 16 Rm #5 Emmett 83617. His boss is Boise National Forest attn: Ceilia Seesholtz at 1249 Vinnell Way suite 200 Boise 83709 . Above the Social Security office just west of the Wal Mart on Overland. We need H E L P and more people to protest the destruction of these awesome pools. lhp2658@q.com But the pools are still awesome, and today "election day" we had them all to ourselves, with only 3 vehicles on the road!

My thoughts, based on past/present visits and submitted hot springer trip reports:

Before the pools were improved:

• (-) The terrain was more dangerous to navigate. The best pools to soak in were located near the top of the source; a slick, steep climb.
• (+) The pools were natural in design, (-) save for tarps used that deteriorated and entered stream systems (tarps have fungi that cannot naturally be broken down, fish eat it, animals eat - then we eat it).
• (-) Poor pool construction meant poor water flow; pools often contained stagnant water.
  

After the pools were improved:

• (+) The overall level of trash at the hot springs and pullout has been dramatically reduced.
• (-) There is an increased potential for overuse and abuse, which typically leads to vehicle vandalism and other assorted problems that occur at some of the more popular easy-access public hot springs. However, Rocky Canyon is somewhat off the beaten path in regard to typical easy-access classified soaks.

My question to the forest service is why Rocky Canyon? There are many other improved soaking pools in the Boise National Forest that I doubt have permits and are notorious trouble-makers. If you target one, don't you have to go after them all? Maybe I'm missing something.

What are you thoughts? Should Rocky's pools be dismantled or preserved?

[where: Crouch, ID]

Skinnydipper Hot Springs Feat. The Crappy Old String Band!

Skinnydipper Hot Springs Featuring The Crappy Old String Band - For more funny videos, click here

The hike and hot pools of famed Skinnydipper Hot Springs located in south-central Idaho. Featuring Bluegrass from 'The Crappy Old String Band' with Bart Rayne on Banjo and Vocals.

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Lost Photos

Here's a few pictures of Skinnydipper Hot Springs, located in the Boise National Forest, that were taken from an unpublished spring trip during May of this year.

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...

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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.

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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

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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.

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Now That's a Pine Burl

Pine Burl Hot Springs in Idaho is a two mile hike from the trailhead near Boiling Springs and features a single rock walled pool with mortar reinforcement. The sole pool has a sandy bottom with a slight amount of slit in the corners. There's no avoiding it, just before Pine Burl you will pass Moondipper and Lil Dipper hot springs.



Seasonal Notes
The Forest Service Road that provides access is snow covered all winter until approximately May. During the summer this is ORV country, expect legions kicking up dirt and dust all over the road. Possible snowmobile access during winter months.



Camping Notes
There is a flat, sizeable campsite just a bit further past the springs as well as another further up the main trail before you depart up the creek to Moondipper. There are also many primitive and official camping opportunities accessible from the forest road.



06.16.07 Trip Report

I camped near more people than ever before on this trip verses all previous backpacking trips made in Idaho. After about an hour I found the last primitive near the hot springs, which turned out to be pretty lame. Blasts of searing hot 118 degree water mixed with blasts of staggering 96 degree water plagued the pool and made way for a fairly strenuous soak. Meaning tired arms from non-stop stirring. It was obvious someone had been tinkering.



Aside from all the people, lack-luster hot springs and insane forest road traffic - it's always nice to be out here; my primitive site was perched near a mountain top coupled with a scenic view of the river valley below.
Rating: D

Boiling Springs Bamboozle

At the end of a forest road in the Boise National Forest, north of the town of Crouch, Idaho 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.



Boiling Springs Cabin Closed for Repairs Until September 2007?

According to the Boise National Forest website and Recreation.gov the Boiling Springs Guard Station is supposed to be shut down for repairs this season. What I saw was a small group of people recreating at the Guard Station, no official Forest Service anything or tools for that matter in sight. Why are people partying at Boiling Springs when it is supposed to be closed for repairs? Hmmm. Something seems amiss.


Posted! - No Nudity!

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

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho

North of Crouch, Idaho and on the far side of the Middle Fork Payette River next to Idaho's busiest Forest Service Road lies a beautiful sight... Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. If you can stand all of the people, non-stop dirt road traffic and river ford you are in for a treat.



As of 2007, Rocky Canyon Hot Springs now features 5 rock and mortar pools and 1 rock and log walled pool with gravel/sand bottoms.



The Forest Service Road that provides access is snow covered all winter until approximately late April or mid-May. Spring runoff makes for a tricky river ford early in the season, cross carefully. Best bet is to wait until after runoff. During the summer this is ORV country, expect legions kicking up dirt and dust all over the road.



Primitive and official campgrounds are all over the place. Due to the location of the hot springs there is no possible way to camp next to or near the springs.



06.16.07 Trip Report

Well how do you like that. Five new, stellar soaks and one original tasty soak await the hot springs interloper at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. Thank you Carey and J. Smith - excellent handiwork on the new digs!



Despite the insane forest road traffic that did not cease until 3am!!!! This soak was a slam dunk. The traffic is terrible because of all the folks heading to and from Silver Creek Plunge. If you decide to camp near the hot springs, make sure you put all of your trash away at night. Wildlife has been getting into human trash in this area, once the wild animals eat our trash they rarely are able to return to their instincts.

As hot springers, we already leave enough of a footprint behind. Let's do our part, pick up everyone's trash, and make sure we are leaving these special areas as untouched as possible.
Rating: A

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho Video Clip

North of Crouch, Idaho and on the far side of the Middle Fork Payette River next to Idaho's busiest Forest Service Road lies a beautiful sight... Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. If you can stand all of the people, non-stop dirt road traffic and river ford you are in for a treat.

View the complete listing for Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Idaho

Boiling Spings Hot Springs Taking Summer 07 Off

The Boise National Forest website and recreation.gov are both reporting that the Boiling Springs Guard Station, located north of Crouch and about 2.5 hours from Boise, will be closed for repairs until September 2007.

I would imagine that the late-season, riverside pools that are near the campground of the same name are still a viable soak. However, the more private pools, located near the Guard Station, will more than likely be closed until September 2007.

Campground Hot Springs in Idaho

Campground hot springs, located on the other side of the seasonally busy Banks-Lowman highway from the aptly named Hot Springs Campground, features one large soaking pool that sits in the base of an old structure. Hot water is piped into the pool from old pipes that remain from a historical bathhouse. The bathhouse's structure can bee seen from the pool and is closer to the Payette River. There is a second pool, but the water temperature is luke warm. However, this particular pool is actually designed to be a stand-up shower - perfect for a warm summer day! The pools are shallow, with rock lined walls and are sand/gravel bottomed.

Seasonal Notes
Be wary of the mud and rock slides that are a common occurrence along the Banks-Lowman Highway. Otherwise, HS CG is accessible year-round!

Camping Notes
Boise National Forest camping is right across the street.

04.08.07 Trip Report

Things are looking good around these parts! A larger pipe with increased flow has replaced the old, providing for much needed additional flow, which means the pool is a bit hotter.

The area was clean, the soak stellar and the views of the Payette sealed the deal. I wish my visit to Little Anderson hot spring was more like this. The good folks that soak here take excellent care of the hot springs.
Rating B+

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Little Anderson Hot Spring Video Clip

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Little Anderson is Still a Little Gross

Little Anderson Hot Spring in Idaho

Almost a decade ago Little Anderson hot spring was once hailed by hot springers as a stellar soak. The hot springs pool and surrounding area was kept clean by the locals, and even at one time had a multi-year caretaker from New Zealand. As of Y2K, this hot spring suffers an entirely different fate. ATVs of all types have shredded the area, the evidence is unfortunately very evident and visible everywhere. Hunters and anglers have left trash and animal remains all over the primitive sites. And the hot springs... is in even worse condition.

The cinder blocks that once lined the pool have long-sunk into the ground, which has allowed the pool to spread out. The source-fed pool bottom features a healthy mix of algae, silt, trash and some sand.

Seasonal Notes
Be wary of the mud and rock slides that are a common occurrence along the Banks-Lowman Highway. The dirt road to Little Anderson off the Banks-Lowman Highway is not maintained and often impassible during the winter season.

Camping Notes
Plenty of Boise National Forest camping nearby, no sites next to the hot springs.

Briefings

04.08.07
I had my fingers crossed. It didn't work though, shoot! After 5 years I had hoped Little Anderson Hot Spring was in better shape. I was wrong. More trash, ATV damage everywhere and the hot spring pool and surrounding area was even more trashed. Someone cut down a tree and threw it into the pool along with a bunch of other garbage. Poor Little Anderson. I would need a week out here with a few more sets of hands just to pick up all of the trash, for starters. Once upon a time (see 04.17.03 update), LA was clean and clear. Not so anymore. If you are in the area, drop by, fill up a couple bags - we'll eventually get all of that crap out of there!
Rating D-

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