DESTINATION Jerry Johnson Hot Springs 1 Photoset
2022-07-05 | |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 3.07 Miles |
230 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.07 Miles | 2 Hrs 15 Mns | | 1.75 mph |
| 230 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I relocated to the other side of the Bitterroots and made the long drive out to the remote Elk Summit Trailhead, administration site and campground to backpack into Big Sandy Lake and hike Diablo Peak. However, after chatting with a ranger out there, I learned none of the trails had been cut yet. Winter was late and summer comes a little later out there and I was about a week early. There were over 100 dead trees across the trail just to Diablo Peak, for example. Elk summit was a worthy destination and we spent a nice afternoon there, so the cancelled plans didn't bother me too much. I decided we would spend the next day and a half touring U.S. 12 along the Lochsa River instead.
Our first stop was an early morning soak at the Jerry Johnson hot springs. It is said this is the most visited hike in the entire Clearwater National forest, but we had both pools to ourselves and did not see anyone until the hike out. The hike in was a highway and was exceptionally scenic as well, as the trail hugged the bank of the robust and scenic Warm Springs Creek.
I don’t necessarily look for hot springs, but I spent the entire trip with one of the worst neck kinks or upper back spasms I have ever had and I was looking for some relief. Having the springs to myself was a bonus. I guess there are not a lot of people visiting hot springs at 7 in the morning. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
