Click here for a full-size view (16k), photo by Rob
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This entry includes reports about two visits
to Goldbug HS, in December of 1999 and November of 1998. Background information
can be found in the second report.
My left foot is getting numb and my fingers
are tingling in the slightly-below-zero air as George and I hike
the shady portion of the trail to Goldbug HS. Yikes, I can feel the skin
on my face tighten as it begins to freeze. Now I remember some of the joys
I left behind when I moved to the banana belt of Smog Lake, Utah. But,
then again, there is the Smog Lake horrific congestion, smog, etc. caused
by the dramatic overpopulation of misplaced, misguided religious fervor.
Life is full of trade-offs.
Sparkling plates of rime coat the mullein,
sage, and bare trees and grasses as we range into the sun, clunking along
on the hard-packed snow. The rime rings the vegetation, producing the appearance
of a terrified thick-fur snow rat tail. The twinkling plates of hoar frost
protrude two or more inches above the old, metamorphosing snow pack, which
is thin for this time of the Idaho Winter. Fortunately for us, the steep
portion of this trail is oriented toward the West, and we easily hike the
trail to the steaming hot springs. Unfortunately, we all forgot our cameras.
It's chilly as we ease into the hot water,
and my feet and hands quickly thaw. We're in the well-appointed pool above
the water fall, bordered by heavily-laden ghost trees. Steam rolls into
the frigid air, and the bright low-angle sunlight strikes it from behind
a prominent ghost tree, forming a radiance of sun rays, rainbows, and sun
dogs in the swirling steam cloud. Leaning back against the polished quartzite
walls, we relish in this penultimate day to the millennium year. (The millennium
actually starts a year from now, making the year 2000 the penultimate year
to the millennium. Similarly, the new year starts tomorrow eve, and today
is the penultimate day to the year 2000.)
After soaking for a few hours, we hiked
back to the TH at sunset, then rolled along the ice-dotted Salmon River
to Challis, and on into the star-studded night to Arco, a town where one
wonders why more people don't glow in the dark (it's near the nuke site).
George and I enjoyed a quiet dinner at Pickle's Place, compete
with deep-fried dill pickles (yum).
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Description: Warm and hot water mix as it cascades down a steep mountain gorge, forming many pools along a 300 yard stretch. One of my favorites (except for the traffic).
Swimsuits and other considerations: I have never had a problem with mosquitoes at Goldbug, possibly because of the time of year that I had visited. It's a good idea to pack a swimsuit due to the high traffic this hot spring receives and the many families that enjoy outings here. If you plan on camping overnight, be prepared to lug your stuff back down the hill as the tent sites could very well already be occupied when you arrive. The two small tent sites are just big enough for one four-man tent each.
George's Hot Spring Score Sheet: Category and Score (comments):
Water Clarity: 1 Very clear. (No goobers due to high flows which keep the algae growth to a minimum.)
Size/Depth of pool(s): .75 (Several pools. Many are definitely soakable but you must lay prone to get complete body coverage. Several pools are suitable for small congenial groups.)
Mineral Content/Odor: 1 (No odors. This water is extremely fresh.
View/Scenery: .75 (Excellent views of the canyon and the valley below. Lush (but not a jungle) growth in warmer months around the pools.)
Water Temperature: 1 (Pools range in temperature depending upon the distance from the source and the amount of mixing with cold water. A pool temperature suiting your personal preference is waiting for you!)
Seclusion: .2 Goldbug HS are about 2 miles from the car - a short and easy day hike, although the last 300 meters is a steep uphill grunt.)
Usage/Traffic: 75 (Surprisingly clean for the number of visitors.)
Camping: .5 (Two very small tent sites are available at the springs (if you get there first). Plenty of camping spots at the base of the hill.)
Other 1.5 (Extra credit is given for the warm waterfalls and turbulent waters which afford a jacuzzi-like soak, and the existence of the many semi-private pools. Also for the many friendly and courteous people I have met while soaking at Goldbug.)
George's Overall HS Rating: 7.45 (out of a perfect
score of 10).
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