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Goldbug Hot Springs Temporary Closure: June 25th – June 28th, 2008

6.19.2008

Greetings Hot Springers, Soak Seekers, Geothermal Gurus... one of the sweetest soaks around is getting some improvements.

Goldbug Hot Springs in Idaho and the corresponding trail will be closed while undergoing improvements from June 25th through June 28th, 2008. Work will include blasting (dynamite) and trail re-route construction.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) respectfully ask that the public not visit Goldbug Hot Springs during this time, and to please keep away from any and all portions of the trail. This is merely a safety issue.

For additional information, please contact: Rob Jaggers, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Bureau of Land Management. (208)756-5466 and/or Send Email.

Any further updates and/or information related to this temporary closure and continuing work at Goldbug will be posted on this blog and the IdahoHotSprings.com listing for Goldbug Hot Springs as part of a joint effort with the BLM to keep the public informed about hot springs related projects.

[where: Elk Bend, ID 83467]

Quick Clip of Sharkey Hot Springs

6.18.2008

Sharkey is operated by the BLM - which do an excellent job taking care of the pools and surrounding area. They are the ones that clean up after the trash mongers, and care very much about the well-being of this hot spring. In addition to the two stellar soaking pools, there are changing rooms, toilets, bbq pits and a large fire pit on-site. Please remember to not bring glass, pay your $1 to soak and pick up every bit of trash you see. Sharkey is a rare treat, let's keep it that way.

View the complete listing for Sharkey Hot Springs in Idaho

[where: Tendoy, ID 83468]

No More Overnight Camping at Goldbug Hot Springs in Idaho

5.23.2008

The Salmon-Challis National Forest is no longer allowing overnight camping at Goldbug Hot Springs near Salmon Idaho. This is due to abuse; trash, tp, human flowers (blech!) and destroying of fragile vegetative areas. Let's be honest - this was only a matter of time... especially evident if you've ever visited Goldbug.

Sadly, all easy-access hot springs suffer nearly the same kind of fate. Jerry Johnson Hot Springs in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Idaho - nighttime closure. Skinnydipper - nighttime closure, Kirkham - nighttime closure. All of these hot springs are stellar soaks, easy to reach and get continuously thrashed. These soaks also have the unfortunate side-effect of giving hot springers that respect others and the environment a bad rap.

I cringe at the thought of the holiday weekend going on right now. Many times have I arrived after to witness the disgusting mess left behind. Oh how many bags of trash I've filled after these 'holiday' weekends.

Sweet Soak at Sharkey Hot Springs in Idaho

4.18.2008

The two resortish-like soaking pools at Sharkey were built by the BLM during the summer of 2001, they were stellar. Even up to 2003, the date of my previous visit, the two pools were still good. After this last visit, I now consider the pools to be in moderate condition. Clear signs of the worsening condition of the concrete housing were visible, and each pool contained a fair amount of slick algae. However, the most blatant difference I noticed is that trash was everywhere! At least the restrooms and changing rooms were in decent condition.

Here's what one of the pools looked like in 2003:

Here's what it looks like now (click to enlarge):

A great soak was shared with a couple visiting the area from Montana. About 20 minutes into our soak we heard quite the commotion. Someone was shooting down the dirt road at a very high speed and came ripping into the hot springs parking area. This pickup drove up to the fence, perpendicular to the parallel parking spots, and almost through it! It was the county Sheriff. Wow, quite the dramatic entrance.

Another view of Sharkey's pool (1 of 2):

After a good sneer and a scowl, the Sheriff ripped on out just as fast as he came in. The Montana couple made a few remarks about the 'law in these parts' after some talk about receiving a ticket recently that wasn't legit. All I know is that wasn't necessary. If the guy was really looking for someone, our vehicles and license plates were clearly visible in the parking lot.

Central Concrete Fire Pit (click to enlarge):

All of that aside, it was a great soak with good company. The hot 102-103 degree water was a welcome contrast to the cold, crisp mountain air. After soaking, the couple even fired up one of the on-site grills and shared some grub and brew. It was refreshing to have such a great soak and meet some friendly folks, a combination I find to be quite rare in Idaho sometimes. They even started picking up trash first, FTW!

Sharkey is also known as Lewis and Clark Hot Springs (along with a few others). Why? Because Lewis and Clark came through here, maybe they even walked down this road: