Goldbug Hot Springs Seasonal Information
During the core of spring runoff you might be hard pressed to find a
soaking pool that is warm enough... usually there's one - you just
might have to search around a bit. The rest of the time is quite a
different story... depending on the creek flow there can be anywhere
between 2 to 10 soakable pools on each side of the creek. Accessible
all year.
Goldbug Hot Springs Camping Information
The 1st quarter mile of the hike in is
on private property, and there are no camping sites at or near the
trailhead aside from a BLM recreation site a few miles down the
highway. Between 1 and 2 miles in, there are a couple primitive
campsites nestled in the junipers near the creek just off the trail
that provide ample seclusion and shade. There are also stepped
camping sites above the hot springs near the 4th bridge on the north
and south sides of the creek. The stepped plots are fairly small,
and would accommodate 2-person tents. They are all
fairly close together, so don't bother unless you don't mind close
company - because there will be company.
Goldbug Hot Springs Trip Reports
05.20.06
We left the trailhead a couple hours prior to sunset. Signage warned
that the 1st quarter mile of the 3 mile trail crossed private land,
and beyond were primitive camps and a bio-toilet near trail mile 2.
Air temperatures were in the upper 80s (a rare occurrence this time
of the year due to a
warm front that broke many records) and shade was often hard to come
by. I drank a ton of water... The last .5 mile to the springs proved
to be the most difficult, after the 3rd bridge crossing. Just before
the 4th bridge we were greeted by the 1st pool *sigh* - we were
here. Further exploration lead to the discovery of the additional
pools, although only 1 grouping was hot enough for soaking due to
runoff.
A local actually told me
that today was the 1st day the water had been warm enough for a
decent soak since runoff began. As we prepped to soak we were passed
by a young couple on their way back down... grinning from ear to ear
- I was soon to find out why.
Initially, we soaked
with another local that had been coming to the springs for at least
20 years. He was friendly, polite and truly respected this special
place. After some banter and story swapping he left us to soak in
private. I took it all in, the hot waterfall massage, stretching out
in one of the coves and watching a diamondback curl around the
inside of a cracked stump above a thermal vent. At one point I was
enjoying the waterfall and thinking about the rattlesnake as a twig
came down the falls and hit my shoulder... I launched myself out
into the pool and received some quirky looks, then giggles once it
was divulged that I had thought a snake slid down the water slide. I
was quite relieved myself.
Watching sunset from the
pool in this unique place was incredible, I can't wait to do it
again... only next time I'm adding sunrise to my mental to-do list.
Rating:
A+
Goldbug Hot Springs Average Rating:
A+
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