| We hiked to these hot springs this last weekend. According to a book we have
on hot springs in the west it is 7 miles into the springs from the parking
area. There is a forestry sign that says 4 miles which is wrong! 7 miles is
more like it.
There is only an elevation gain of approx 700 feet so the hike isn't that
strenuous. The first 1/8 mile is steep then you have occasional ups and
downs, many creek crossings (with logs or rocks positioned so you won't
get wet), three foot bridges, and one steep switchback area going in, another
steep switch back area coming back out. I didn't find the trail to be all
that treacherous either even tho the trail, in many places, was looking down
into the river below. I'm not one that loves heights but I got along OK.
When you get to an area that has alot of trails going off to the left, you
will be close to the springs. When we were there, there were maybe a dozen
tents that you could see. There are no signs pointing you to the spring so
we passed it up looking for a tent site. We found one but before we could
put our packs back on and hike to it, 3 people passed us and took it. So
if you go in and there is a bunch of people there too, grab what looks like
a good tent site since they will go quickly.
The pools are clothes-optional and there were families there with suits on and
mostly women.....not me tho! ;-) The main pool's temperature was about 102
degrees (which was too warm for me...) and would hold at least a dozen people
cozily. There is a smaller pool upstream near a meadow that is big enough for
two people and is about body temperature.
It took me a little more than 3 hours to hike in. Another person said it took
him 2-1/2 hours. Considering this is the first major hike with 35 lbs. on my
back, I figure I didn't do too bad. We took our two dogs with us with their
packs, on leashes. There were a few dogs up there and some people weren't
considerate enough to clean up after them which makes other people mad about
dogs being on the trails.
We found out the rainy season is August when it rains practically everyday
and all day long. August may NOT be the month to go in due to the mud
situation. July was perfect, with short rain showers in the afternoon. The
showers lasted about 20 minutes, got the ground wet but didn't make things
muddy. Sounds like September/early October will be another good time to head
in. Elevation is close to 9K feet so I wouldn't go late October due to snow.
Wolf Creek is bad news to go over in a blizzard. Take it from a person that
went over during a blizzard....not fun at all!
Had a great time, took 3 hours to hike out. I twisted my ankle, fell, and
bruised myself pretty bad about 1/2 way down....kinda ticked me off since
it was a pretty level section, thank goodness it wasn't on the part of the
trail over-looking the river....I would have been a goner! :-)
Now my mind is back at the spring and the solitude even with all the people
up there. Sigh.
Judy
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| Has anyone been in to Rainbow hot springs (near wolf creek pass, CO)
yet this year? I'm thinking of going in over the 4th of July weekend,
and was wondering if the forest service roads to the trailhead would be
open and clear of snow yet. Anyone know the trailhead elevation, or
the phone number of a forest service office I could call to get current
access info?
Steve
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