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Home:
Idaho Hot Springs:
Panther (Big Creek) Hot Springs |
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Keep Hot Springs Clean and Safe for Generations to Come!
Pickup ALL trash, always pack
it in - pack it out, respect others and the land. Hot springs are a gift. Abused
hot springs are shutting down at an alarming rate.
Utilize Leave No Trace
Principles and keep all soap and shampoo at least 200 feet from any water source; hot springs, creeks, rivers, lakes, springs and reservoirs.
Roadside Guide |
Backcountry Guide
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Salmon-Challis
National Forest |
Overall Rating: B |
| 4,400
ft |
Water Temperature: Varies |
| Shoup
Area |
Usage Level: Low-Moderate |
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General Description
Formerly popular because of a huge soaking pool, which was overrun
with debris after multiple stream blowouts, Panther now consists of
a couple on again, off again small, dug-out pools bordered with
rocks. The rock sauna is a unique, welcoming feature - just watch
out for all of the spiders.
Pool Condition
All of the carved-out pools feature rock walls, gravel and rock
bottoms and are at most 3 feet deep and 4-6 feet wide. They will require revamping and
cleaning on occasion because of low use. The location and condition
of the pools changes with the seasons.
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| Dates Visited: |
Trash Levels: |
Bug Levels: |
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05.14.03 |
Light |
None (tadpoles a plenty) |
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Water Clarity:
Semi-Clear |
Visibility:
Moderate |
Odor(s):
None |
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Wildlife Sighted:
Deer, Elk, Tadpoles |
Seasonal Notes
Panther is usable year-round. During the winter months it's common
to park at the base of the hill and hike up to the hot springs due
to ice (and the steep drop off/narrow road). |
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Camping Notes
There are primitive sites nearby, the
closest official campground is at Panther Creek.
Briefings
05.14.03
Panther was scenic to say the least. There was a HUGE waist-deep soaker
which was full of goobers and thousands of tadpoles (hot springs frogs??),
a cozy sauna hut built out of rocks and a nice little 2-3
person soaking pool that was perfect. There were a few other pools as well
but their temperatures were not optimal for soaking. Once again, we lucked out and had
the whole place to ourselves! Woo hoo! I really liked the scenery, not too
mention the little caves that had hot water gushing out of them which
formed a
thermal stream that fed the smaller pools below the HUGE pool.
Apparently,
just a couple years ago the HUGE pool was the primary soaking pool, but
that all changed after a stream blowout in 2001. Currently, the HUGE pool
is too cool for soaking... plus, there's all the mud and tadpoles. If anyone knows exactly what kind of frog this is
please contact me. The lower,
smaller pool was in excellent soaking condition. I've heard that the
Forest Service has plans to 'clean-up' the HUGE pool, and I've also heard
that this area has been hurt badly by developments made at the site within
the last few years. Hmmmm.
One more thing to report, using your sleeping
bag to dam a pool is not such a good idea... someone must have been
desperate for a soak because we found a sleeping bag stuffed in the lower
pool that was used as a makeshift dam. Crap was floating around the pool all over
the place from the deteriorated bag.
Rating B
Average Rating:
B [TOP] |
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