Latest Updates Before Hitting the Road / Trail / Backcountry

I hope summer has been treating you all well. Here's a little FYI for those of you ISO stellar soaks for the last of the warm season.

Warm Lake Access Road Update

Forest Service Road 474 South, also known as the South Fork (Payette River) Road remains closed until November 1st. The East Fork Road from McCall is currently the only access road will get you to the town of Yellow Pine and the northwestern trailheads of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

Area Map showing FSR 474 northwest of Warm Lake


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Hot Springs access restricted by the closure: Penny, Sugah, Lodgepole, Teapot, Buckhorn (1 of 2 trailheads)

View the official news release PDF

Bull Trout Lake Closure

The Fir Creek and Bear Valley areas are now both back open. However, the Bull Trout Lake area is intermittently closed until August 30th.

Bull Trout Lake Map


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Hot Springs access affected: Sitting Bull (trailhead 1 of 2)

View the official Boise National Forest new release

Idaho Wildfires

The last few days have brought some hefty thunder and lightning storms through Idaho. So far, only light wildfires have been reported, and no fire bans have been initiated. Which is really amazing, considering the last 4 years in a row fire bans hit most of Idaho before the start of August.

The best place to keep tabs on Idaho's wildfires is at InciWeb's Idaho Incidents area.

Please remember to pick up your trash, don't bring glass or hassle wildlife. Remember to share, and most of all - enjoy the rest of summer.

Happy Trails!

Side Note: My blogroll has been updated with some incredible blogs: California Camp Bug, Hiker Hell, Idaho Nature Notes, Light Backpacking and the Idaho Incident feed from InciWeb.

Hot Springs Access Road and Area Closure Updates for Idaho

Greetings fellow hot potters (sorry, hadn't used that nick in bit - gotta mix it up)

If you are gearing up to head out into the backcountry please pay attention to the following road and area closures, as they could effect access to your hot springs destination.

Area: NE of Cascade: Warm Lake / Yellow Pine / Krassel District

Closure: Forest Service Road 474 North from August 4th through November 1st (NR)

Hot Springs: Sugah, Penny, Teapot, Buckhorn, Lodgpole, Darling's Cabin

Closure: Stibnite Road in August, Exact Date TBA (NR)

Hot Springs: Kwis Kwis and access to the FCRNRW

Closure: Stolle Meadows (NR)

Hot Springs: None, but near Vulcan

Area: Lowman / Stanley

Closure: Fir Creek Campground until August 30th (NR)

Hot Springs: Bear Valley

Closure: Bull Trout Lake until August 30th (NR)

Hot Springs: Sitting Bull

IdahoHotSprings.com Clean-Up and NE of Cascade Hot Springs Condition Update

Despite a redesign looming in the horizon for IdahoHotSprings.com, I took some time and did some spring cleaning. I removed a bunch of slow code, ads, and non-relevant pages. I did everything I could short of a complete redesign, which is coming, did I say that already? ;)

Last weekend I was up camping and hiking around the Warm Lake and Krassel areas. Runoff was picking up, but not quite enough to bury the pools at Trail Creek and Sugah. However, it was enough to limit access to the hot shower at Buckhorn and bury Penny and Teapot. Forest Road 474S road into Molly's, Molly's Tubbs and Vulcan was still snow-covered.

Forest Road 474N is in the worst shape I've ever witnessed. After the wildfires and before winter, crews had to quickly replace a series of over 20 large, metal culverts along the road, and unfortunately didn't have time to repave the road after installing the new culverts. That's exactly where all the rough spots are, some are tire killers! Go slow, it's only the first 20 miles.

On the way up to Cascade, passing through Banks revealed tons of people. The pass between Cascade and Warm Lake had at most 7feet of snow on the roadside, but the road itself was dry pavement. However, snow drifts, at times, covered an entire lane throughout many blind corners. I experienced a few scares with speedy oncoming drivers not paying attention on the way in and out.

All things considered; trash was low, the nights were cold, but the campfire, warm spring days and hot springs were stellar.

Warm Lake Area Wildfire Update

Residents of Yellow Pine and cabins in the vicinity of Warm Lake and Johnson Creek are still under evacuation orders while the surround roads remain closed as well. Here's the update

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.

Warm Lake Area Hot Springs Summer Road Closure

(not the actual sign.. heh)

Forest Service Road 474/674 North, also known as the South Fork Salmon River Road; which grants access to Yellow Pine by way of the Warm Lake Highway will be closed from July 30th until October 15th 2007 because of road construction. This will temporarily effect access to the following hot springs:

1. Buckhorn Hot Springs
2. Teapot Hot Spring
   
3. Lodge Pole Hot Spring
4. Darline's Cabin Hot Springs
   
5. Mile-16 (Sugah) Hot Springs
6. John Wayne Hot Springs
   
7. Dollar Creek Hot Springs
   
8. Penny Hot Springs

To recap, the South Fork Salmon River Road, northeast of Cascade, will be closed from July 30th, 2007 until October 15th, 2007 due to road construction. This road is located in both the Boise and Payette National Forests.

Testing Teapot Hot Springs in Idaho

Teapot Hot Spring lies at the base of Teapot Mountain nestled between the South Fork Salmon River and Forest Service Road. Teapot features seasonal pools that submerge during spring runoff. The smattering of 5 to 7 pools are typically composed of rock and sand walls, are quite mucky and algae laden and feature sand and gravel bottoms.

Seasonal Notes
Accessible all year - note Warm Lake HWY and FSR 474 N traveling during winter will require a 4x4 to get though safely. The streamside pools at Teapot submerge during spring runoff.

Camping Notes
There is plenty of Boise National Forest camping nearby - no camping at the springs.

Nearby Attractions

• Sounds of Spring Frogs in Julie Creek (video clip)

03.24.07 Trip Report

As I neared Teapot I slowed down and looked out the window - I didn't plan on stopping, but the sight of a promising medium sized, well-built pool lured me in. Although not quite spring runoff, this new pool was just a smidge below the river water level making it a tad chilly. I bet this new, deep soaker will be good to go come late summer.

However, the South Fork Salmon River Road (FSR 474/674 North) will be closed the majority of THIS SUMMER due to road construction. So, from June through mid-October 2007 all of the hot springs in this area will get a break.
Rating: C

View the Complete Listing for Teapot Hot Spring in Idaho

Mile-16 Hot Springs in Idaho Revisited

03.24.07 Trip Report

What a weird and wonderful place Idaho is. Where else can you soak in a hot springs, get some sun and play in the snow all on the same day? The air temperature was about 65 and the water around 104. This was one of those rare times where there's still mountain snow on the ground, the roads are clear and sun is warm. This is the small window before spring runoff; which last year buried Mile-16 for one of the first times that I'm aware of.

The soak was stellar, and I found NO trash and a freshly filled pool to boot. Did I say there was no trash! Awesome! M16 has some great caretakers. However, I found tons of angler trash along the South Fork and a couple creeks nearby. Shame on you fishermen - I've found so much angler trash over the years. Get it together and show the land you take from basic respect. Sheesh.

Please note, the South Fork Salmon River Road (FSR 474/674 North) will be closed the majority of THIS SUMMER due to road construction. So, from June through mid-October 2007 all of the hot springs in this area will get a break.
Rating A+

View the Complete Listing for Mile-16 Hot Springs in Idaho

Sweet Soak: Sugah Hot Spring, Idaho

General Description
An almost always perfect temperature soak located in the fringe of the Boise National Forest northeast of Cascade, Idaho. The sole rock mortared pool features a rock, sand and gravel bottom and a light coating of algae. This scenic soak is situated right next to the beautiful north fork of the Salmon River.

Seasonal Notes
Accessible all year - CAUTION - please note that the Warm Lake highway and FSR 474 N travel during winter will require a 4x4 and chains to get though safely. The roads are narrow, slick and almost always snow covered.

Camping Notes
There is plenty of Boise National Forest camping nearby: official and primitive - no camping at the springs.

02.04.07 Trip Report

The drive in? No problem. The drive out... YIKES! It was cold on the way in and warm on the way out; meaning the 3-4 inch thick ice sheets on the road got slick and slushy once the air temperature warmed up. Was it worth it? You bet. But, next time I think I'll wait until at least March before making a run at this soak. The drive out was just too scary. Add single track roads with oncoming traffic to the above equation and I think you'll understand my line of thinking.

The soak was stellar, and was actually the hottest I've ever experienced, clocking in consistently at 106 and 107. Garbage was moderate and usage seemed low.
Rating A

View Sugah/Mile-16 Hot Springs Complete Listing

Mile-16 Hot Spring Fire (Idaho) Report

Greetings everyone. I just received a report from a fellow hot springer that the fire in the Payette National Forest has reached the opposite bank of the NF of the Payette River from Mile-16 hot spring. The report stated that actual flames were clearly visible from the pool.

With that said, lets hope for the best and be careful if traveling in/to the Payette NF in the Warm Lake and Krassel areas.

If you have updated information please post it in the forums.

Best wishes & happy soaking,

Mile-16 Hot Spring Moonlit Soaking

M16 - One of many in this area

My backpacking partner and I enjoyed a surreal, moonlit soak at M16 after backpacking to Rice Peak Lookout. As we were arriving a family from Montana here for Yellow Pine's annual Harmonica Festival was on their way out after enjoying one of Idaho's best areas for hot springs.
Rating A+

View Mile-16 Hot Spring Complete Listing

6 New Hot Springs Video Clips Added!

6 Video Clips Now Online:

06.04.06: Trail Creek Hot Springs in Idaho Video Clips

• Clip 01: Pool 1 submerged under spring runoff
• Clip 02: Pool 2 survives spring runoff as usual

06.03.06: Buckhorn Hot Springs in Idaho Video Clips

• Clip 01: Trashed Outfitter / Hunter Campsites
• Clip 02: Raging Buckhorn Creek
• Clip 03: Hot spring fed pool and stand-up shower

06.03.06: Mile-16 Hot Spring in Idaho Video Clips

• Submerged under the last of spring runoff

Hope you are all having a great summer, best wishes.

Mile-16 Hot Spring in Idaho Revisited

A grrl's best friend

Grade A soaks, views of the North Fork of the Payette River and a weekend battle for the hot springs.

Hot outflow

The rock walls of M16 were once again above the flow of the river providing for a most excellent soaking experience.

They float

I'm afraid this place is getting pretty popular, there were more people soaking over the weekend than I've ever witnessed. So, what's that mean? Get in line or cram in... just great. At least I didn't find much trash to cart out. Plus, the soaking was awesome.
Rating A-

View Mile-16 Hot Spring Complete Listing

Mother Nature Giving Mile-16 Hot Spring a Break

Mother nature is finally giving Mile-16 hot spring a much deserved break. I've been to this hot spring many times, and this is the first time I've seen it underwater. It looked like there were several unsuccessful attempts at elevating the pool walls by use of sandbags in an effort to avoid the rampant spring runoff. I only hope that the thin mortar-reinforced walls are able to withstand the might of the river. One big stick is all it would take.

Unfortunately, the absence of a soak hasn't deterred trash mongers. There was more trash here than I was prepared to deal with, complete with a nasty diaper. What is wrong with some people? Please don't leave the city or your locality if you don't know how to pick up after yourself. Jeeze. What worries me more is the thought of those same people breeding. Thank you all that do pick up after yourself, especially those who pick up after everyone - you are the reason why IdahoHotSprings.com exists; in the spirit of enjoying hot springs through preservation, conservation and education.
Rating X

View Mile-16 Hot Spring Complete Listing

Mile-16 Hot Spring in Idaho Revisited

Mile-16 Hot Springs in Idaho

It's always nice to visit good ol M-16; this visit however was one of my least enjoyed. Upon arrival we picked up more trash than I've ever witnessed here. Plus, someone tinkered with the metal pipe that delivers the hot water into the pool. They diverted the main flow from the pipe that feeds the pool to a lower pool that can only be usable in low-water conditions (spring runoff will destroy anything below the mortar reinforced pool). They did a crap job; the big pool is now below 100º when it used to be a reliable and perfect 102º, and the new lower pool's water temperature is a mere couple degrees above that of the river. Nice going guys. Not only was the environment altered, trashed and trampled, but the housing in which the main pipe 'plugs' into the source has been cracked and damaged. I have a real strong feeling that Chinook anglers are responsible for this as the big fishing season just ended in this area. The anglers always leave the area trashed - every year, never fail. I know there are environmentally friendly anglers out there; but they are too few in number.
Rating C+

Mile-16 Hot Spring in Idaho Revisited

Mile-16 Hot Spring

Excellent! What more could you ask for? I found out on this particular trip that the National Forest (Payette) cleans and cares for this hot springs on a regular basis. Please help do your part by not bringing in glass containers, refrain from using any kind of soap (including bio soap), pack out what you pack in and pick up any trash you see. The law in this neck of the woods are quite liberal and proud of it - expect a ticket if you are caught littering or doing worse.

Tarps, soap and bio soap do not break down completely in the wilderness. Instead, their remnants grow fungus that is foreign to this type of environment. This foreign fungus soon overtakes the natural fungus and hence dramatically effects the waterways, fish and animals that all depend on it. If you must use a tarp take care not to leave it behind. If you must use soap please use bio soap, but wash yourself at least over 150 yards away from any creeks, rivers, lakes or any other water sources or channels.
Rating A+

Mile-16 Hot Spring in Idaho Revisited

Mile-16 Hot Spring

What more good can I say about this hot springs? It's always awesome and hot! I should mention that it was a dangerous drive in, one that I really didn't need to risk, but once I was in the middle of it I had no choice but to keep on plugging through, see 03.27.05 Trail Creek for more travel details. Always bring chains!
Rating A