Hot Springs in Atlanta.... Idaho

1.07.2007
Here are the pics and trip report from one of many late season 2006 soaks that I'm playing catch-up on. All video clips are current, the individual hot springs listings are getting there! Best wishes, HSG



Atlanta hot springs features one large rock and mortar reinforced pool complete with benches and piped in hot and cold water. Please note that Red Spider Mites are known to inhabit this hot springs. This place is wildly popular with the citizens of Atlanta; where the hot springs is well-known and used - oftentimes for bathing! We all know using any kind of soap in a hot springs is a big no no and illegal.


The majority of roads into Atlanta close during winter save for one route which is sketchy, especially given the large amount of deaths that occur on this road during the summer months. Note: The Middle Fork Boise River Road is a rough one - this is one of my least favorite roads to drive on in Idaho due to the insane washboards. Just something to keep in mind. During the summer you can cut down on the drive time by taking on of the many FSRs off State HWY 21 to the Middle Fork Road.


Plenty of nearby National Forest campgrounds and primitive sites to choose from. Just .5 mi up the road there are free developed sites available for use at Powerplant Campground. This might very well be one of the last campgrounds in Idaho that remains free despite having water, tables and an outhouse.


09.16.06 Trip Report

I've been wanting to come here forever! Well, at least since I've been into hot springs, which has been the last 10 years of my life. The stories are true! The soaking was stellar despite Red Spider Mites (RSMs). I figured out long ago, that you can almost completely avoid RSMs by applying natural insect repellent lotion immediately AFTER soaking. The little buggars don't like the stuff and usually leave.
Rating A-



A Look Back at 2006

1.01.2007
2006 was a great year for first-time visits to many stellar soaks, the most notable being:
The best hot springs trip of 06, by far, was backpacking into Stanley Hot Springs in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in central Idaho.
New information was reported on 78 hot springs in 2006! Thank you to all of you contributors as well!

Coming in 2007:
  • New general listing format, each hot springs listing will come complete with map options and GPS coordinates
  • Completion of the Idaho commercial hot springs area
  • Non-commercial hot springs map navigation
Best wishes to all of you, and please don't forget to pickup trash and tread lightly.

In Peace,

HSG

New Winter Hot Springs Access Methodology?

12.20.2006
Ktrak - Ride your bike to snowbound soaks...


Many hot springs during the winter have only 3 access options (if any): snowmobile, cross-country ski and snowshoe. Am I going to have to add Ktrak to that list?

Seeking Banks-Loman Bounty: Pine Flats Hot Springs in Idaho Video

12.17.2006


Video 1 (of 2): Round-the-bend pool and Payette River





Pine Flats Hot Springs is located in the Boise National Forest, and is a short hike from the campground of the same name near Lowman, Idaho.


Video 2 (of 2): Unique ice formations on the hot springs source




View the complete listing for Pine Flats Hot Springs in Idaho

Bronco Billy (Hot Spring) in Idaho Rides Again

After years of speculation about more than ample hot water flow, someone has finally snuck a soak underneath the source of Bronco Billy Hot Spring. Here's the video of the secret soak (trip report w/ pics to follow):





Bronco Billy Hot Spring is located on a slip of BLM land amongst the Boise National Forest just off the Bank-Lowman Highway between Banks and Garden Valley, Idaho.


View the complete listing for Bronco Billy Hot Spring in Idaho