Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead — Attraction in Idaho

We left the hotel in Wisdom MT at 530am to cross the pass over the Beaverhead Mountains to hike the GoldBug trail.

This hike was not accurately described to us and the challenges were played down. We were very excited to find an out house at the trail head but our excitement diminished rapidly once we breached the fume barrier. While it stunk to holy heavens it was actually clean. From there the view of the trail appears to be a series of decrepit stairs. Fortunately, there was less deadly switch backs to climb. These switch backs that were dust and sparse loose rock are a hazard to people like me, klutzes. I did make it through unscathed; however, I started to lose my footing once and nearly gave Kate a heart attack. After the switch backs the trail is very narrow and after the incredible elevation changes we experienced on the way over neither of us were able to look up from the trail without feeling unsteady and dizzy, or maybe we are just that out of shape. Most of the trail is a slight, gradual incline until you reach the goat trail of loose rocks. Again, not klutz proof. And yet I made it across intact. At this point I was ready to murder my child if these hot springs did not live up to her hype. But before I could do that I had to make it up the stairs which were actually very nice. We made it to the hot springs and because there was a man soaking in the first pool we went up a little farther. I then decided I was moving to that spot and told Kate to send food. Unfortunately, while Kate did enjoy the splendid beauty before us she felt sitting in the actual hot springs felt like soaking in a pool of urine, so after a snack of Almonds and Mountain Dew, we headed back down. Down is not always easier friends. That is all I have to say about that.

It was worth every step and no children...

Goldbug is a little gem near Salmon. Google will take you right there. For some reason it shows hours of operation in Google which makes you think you can't hike it after 4pm. You can. I got there around 4:40pm and hiked it and stayed up there until about 9pm. It was an amazing experience and hike. It's about 2 miles as the crow flies. Bring you swim suit and water shoes and bottles of water + a microfiber towel. You will not be able to camp there so don't bring camp gear or sleeping bag. At the top is steep rocks and you can't camp anywhere within 500 meters away from water, or you won't find a spot. There is a toilet at the trailhead and none along the way or there when you arrive. No cell phone service at the top. The 1st 150 yards of hike is pretty steep and the last 200 yards are pretty steep and rocky but the center section is pretty level. If you are not obese or older than 85 you'll have no problem getting up there. It's free and the water ranges from about 90-103 degrees depending on where you are. The section to the right of the last bridge is the hottest and it gets cooler the closer to the hill bottom you go. I assume it will be cooler in September, October as the source of the water is above where you first see it come into the pond. Definitely go see it. One of Idaho's most wonderful...

That was a very challenging up hill all the way hike with ice. If you go this time of year ( winter) you need spikes for your shoes. I saw people sliding down the trail head first and backwards. Some people simply sat down and tried to slide down the mountain. The problem with that is some pick up speed and start tumbling down the side of the mountain. I put humility aside and crawed through one section, that was solid ice where there was nothing to hang onto and the trail was at a hard angle towards the edge of the mountain. Some areas of the trail leveled out a bit the ice disappeared and was replaced with sloppy mud. A few areas were dry. I imagine summer might be a better time to hike this trail. I bet it gets way hot though. 🤔 But still despite all that, I loved this hike. The uphill hike does make you think, whoa is it ever gonna end. Hang in there peeps. Slow, careful and steady will reveal an amazing view and destination. ⛰️...