[pct-l] Ira Bell hot springs / Fish Creek alternate route

[reynolds@iLAN.com (Reynolds, WT)]

I understand that generally people do NOT wear clothes in the hot springs. I
can't be sure because when I was there it was empty. However, a friend who
was with me says it is always full. This destination is a yearly pilgramige
for him. Spending some time at the Springs is a MUST!

He loved the sunset from the upper springs. It was a nasty schlep up the
slope to it. The upper springs are mud holes in clay. It is interesting to
see how, by placing rocks, one controls the water temperature buy, IMHO, not
worth the climb. The lower springs are simply awesome. One is grotto like
set against a rock ledge. One is carefully constructed out of rocks in a
teacup shape. 

The walk from the road to the springs is about 10 miles. It is not pretty
but mostly downhill and doable in a day. The lateral from the trail to the
springs is a use trail. It may be obscure.

>From the springs you make a serious climb followed by an equally serious
drop then ascend Fish Creek. The side trail up to Purple Lake may be
obscure. The secret is to recognize that the trail is before the stream
draining Purple Lake into Fish Creek. The trail reaches Fish Creek
relatively near, possibly 200 yards, from where the stream joins the creek,
but leaves the Purple outlet stream as it ascends before rejoining the
outlet stream before Purple Lake. Hot climb, take water. The trail is mostly
dry. If you miss it simply continue up canyon till you climb out and meet
the JMT but you will miss Purple Lake and Virginia Lake this way. If you
fish this is BAD because I pulled a 13" fish out of Virginia at dusk so find
the side trail if you can, camp on the pinninsula at Virginia Lake and plan
to eat fresh fish cooked after dark.

FYI IMHO  From 1000 Island Lake I would take the JMT to Shadow Lake, than
take the lateral down to the River trail and on to Agnew Meadow. The trail
along Shadow Creek is awesome. I would NOT bother with the trail thru
Devil's Postpile. I'd get back on the trail at the falls.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Courtway [mailto:scourtway@bpa-arch.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 4:58 PM
To: Reynolds, WT
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Ira Bell hot springs / Fish Creek alternate route


thanks AGAIN Tom !!!  I think I'll take your route....

I'm planning on arriving there for the night of Thu. 7/3......
Do you think it will be overrun by nudists ?? hahaha
Fri.-Sun. will probably be busy there I imagine.....

thx !

steve

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reynolds, WT" <reynolds@ilan.com>
To: "'Steve Courtway'" <scourtway@bpa-arch.com>;
<PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Ira Bell hot springs / Fish Creek alternate route


> Iva Bell Hot Springs is worth the trip. Actually, the perfect trip would
be
> Rainbow falls to Iva Bell, then up Fish Creek to the Purple Lake cutoff,
up
> to the JMT at Purple Lake then past Virginia Lake and Tully Hole. This
route
> would catch all the hot spots but would meander up and down. The hike up
to
> Purple will get you attention.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Courtway [mailto:scourtway@bpa-arch.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 3:21 PM
> To: PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Ira Bell hot springs / Fish Creek alternate route
>
>
> I am considering taking the Fish Creek
> alternate route past rainbow falls to
> Ira Bell hot springs on my upcoming JMT hike.
> Are the hot springs worth the side trip ?
> I have read the trail south from Red's Meadow
> to the springs is in terrible condition and
> not the most enjoyable hike due to the burn and
> heavy stock travel.  Has anybody any opinions
> regarding this side route and the condition
> of the hot springs?
>
> thanks,
> Steve Courtway
>
>
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