Goldbug Hot Springs

BOU AVENUE
Goldbug Hot Springs

On our way to central Idaho, Zosia Zgolak and I paid a visit to Goldbug Hot Springs on 30 June 2019. I discovered these primitive hot springs largely by accident while researching for campgrounds along the scenic Salmon River.

Turn east onto Warm Springs Road from US Highway 93 about 37 kilometres south of Salmon or 58 kilometres north of Challis. The signed trailhead with vault toilet is about 500 metres further at the end of the road. Parking may be limited; be sure not to block any private alleyways or entrances.

Although the hot springs are located on National Forest land, access is via an easement across private property. From the parking area, the trail crosses a bridge and passes the vault toilet before climbing steeply up the hillside beyond on a series of switchbacks. The trail levels out shortly after and heads up the valley to the east at a more relaxed grade. We had no issues following the trail all the way to the hot springs, but the hike is more strenuous than it looks on paper (3.2 kilometres one-way with 276 metres elevation gain) especially when the weather is hot.

At the hot springs site, there are multiple pools with varying degrees of warmth. There were already quite a few people there when we arrived, but the pools did not feel crowded. Zosia and I spent about an hour relaxing in the refreshing waters before reluctantly commencing the long but easy walk back to the trailhead.

	The trail to Goldbug Hot Springs starts beside a vault toilet and immediately climbs up the grassy hill in the background.
	After passing through an easement across private property, Zosia enters National Forest land beyond this gate.
	The trail climbs steadily up the valley.
	Beside the trail to the hot springs is this dilapidated cabin.
	Zosia climbs the last few steps before the hot springs.
	Warm water spills over Zosia as she sits in a little grotto next to a hot pool.
	Taking a turn in the little grotto, Sonny sticks his head under a torrent of water.
	Zosia relaxes in one of the hot pools.
	Sonny sits contentedly in one of the cooler pools and contemplates the long walk back to the trailhead.
	Total Distance: 6.4 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 13 minutes Net Elevation Gain: 276 metres GPX Data