Goldbug Hot Springs

Reaching the Goldbug Hot Springs trailhead is pretty straightforward. It is located South of Salmon, Idaho and north of Challis, Idaho. The turnoff is near mile marker 282 on highway 93. This turns into a short dirt road (heading east) with a trailhead at the end; wooden fences and a restroom will assure that you're in the correct location. There are also homes along the dirt road and trailhead– don't let that deter you.

The trail to the hot springs is well traveled and very easy to follow – it's ~2 miles in, and !2 miles out. If you look up at the mountain range from here, you'll see a "V" shape cut into the ridge. The pools are essentially located right at the point of the "V"– use that as motivation.

The first section is private property, but you are more than welcome to traverse it. After you pass through a gate, you'll be on national forest land.The hike is very interesting. It begins on the side of a hill and then drops down to land that mimics a desert – cactuses equipped. There is a very simple composting toilet off to your left in the desert territory if you find the need to use it while hiking up. There are also a handful of camping sites off to your right of the trail (across from the composting toilet). Fire rings and laid down tree trunks mark this area pretty easily. There are also large trees around it to give your proper shade if needed.

After you pass through the flat land, it'll begin to become overtaken with trees and the elevation will begin to gain. For some, this can be a very grueling hike. If you are in relatively good shape, this is but a mere hike that may raise your heart rate a little. I saw children and smaller dogs on the trail when I was hiking up.

The trail up ranges from dirt paths, to climbing up the sides of rocks and traversing over areas where rock slides have littered across the trail. Just before you actually reach the hot springs, the trail will morph into wooden box steps. At this point, be sure to look over to your left and break through the trees. You will be greeted by a mossy, waterfall covered oasis– cave included.

Once you breakaway from this magical sight, you'll push yourself up the last leg of steps and cross a small wooden bridge. The hot springs will then engulf your sight. There is a large pool at the very top of the cliff that is fed by a creek. The water spews over the cliff and creates 15 foot waterfalls of hot water to feed two more decently sized pools below. The water continues down from that into another pool. The farther you trek from the top pool, the cooler the water becomes.

Up from the top pool are flat areas to pitch tents, lay down a sleeping mat, or plenty of trees to string up a hammock. There are also some rocky fire rings scattered throughout the area. Keep in mind, camping isn't permitted within 500 feet of the hot springs.

This remains as one of my favorite locations to visit. Spending the night there allows you to indulge in the utter bliss of soaking in hot water on a brisk night as the sky is taken over by billions of stars. The view is unrivaled while soaking in your 'victory' pool– looking over the valley that you just conquered all the way up.

This adventure is perfect for a group of friends to spend a handful of hours or the night within nature. There is a good chance that you may make a few friends while soaking as well. Bring your camera, the landscape is breathtaking.

This excursion can be very muddy during the spring thaw, very hot in the summer, perfect in autumn, and much more difficult in the winter when the snow begins to pile up – perhaps equip yourself with snowshoes. Check the weather and prepare appropriately for conditions.