Wildlife Sighted:
Deer & Elk (black bear & mountain lion evidence)
Seasonal Information
Forest Service access road closed during winter.
Camping
There is room for a couple small, 1-man
tents above pool 3. You will pass a few other good campsites on
the 3 mile hike in just before the hot springs, the closest being
.3mi from the hot springs.
Trip Reports, Accessibility and Usage
Updates
07.2010
Deadwood Hot Springs has been cleaned and tinkered with a few times. Despite the attempted improvements, a thorough cleaning and adjustment of the source hoses will most likely be required pre-soak. Spend the night or make sure you have ample time if you make the hike out.
Other than that - good to soak!
06.25.05
Well, it took me 2 years to get back here but it was definitely
worth it. First off, I have to start by reporting an incident that
occurred when we arrived at the hot springs.
Just before we arrived
we passed a couple in their 40s or so on their way out. Shortly
after passing them we arrived at the 1st pool to find a huge fire
BURNING! The area was also littered with cig buts and candy bar
wrappers! It was in the mid-80s outside and these people were having
a large fire two feet from the hot springs and approx. 4 feet from
the creek! Need I say how easily a fire could have started in this
scenario. This complete disregard for the environment shocked and
appalled me. I did all I could do; clean up their mess best I can
and report them the to local ranger with a description of their
vehicle (blue pickup/white camper). Please keep fires/fire-pits at
least 200 feet from any water source - not only does it damage the
environment but it is also illegal. I can't believe this needs to be
said but -put your fires DEAD OUT!
With that said, let's
continue on. Aside from the remnants of a fire-pit next to it, the
1st pool looked to be in fairly decent shape. It was also sporting
temps between 96 & 98 degrees. The second, smaller pool around the
bend next to the 3rd pool was somewhat 'out of order'. It was loaded
with silt and a section of pipe lay in it's shallow bottom (see
above picture). The 3rd pool was in great condition with only a
minor amount of slit; my only complaint is that the water wasn't
very hot - only around 96 degrees. The scenery was spectacular, and
we bore witness to many deer and grouse on the hike in and out.
On the way back out we
were hit by a wicked summer storm about 1 mile from the trailhead.
Within 5 minutes we were drenched from head to toe. Soon after the
wind and rain bombarded us from every direction, the thunder became
so loud we couldn't even hear each other yelling! It was one heck of
a scramble back to my truck at the trailhead. I've been in many a
storm before, but this one is right up there.
Rating:
A
08.02.03 & 08.03.03
This was definitely a grade A soak. It really should be an A+, but I
have to deduct the + rating because of the large amount of deer and
elk feces in the vicinity, and because it may take a bit of
engineering to get the pools hot enough for a good soak. However,
careful use of the long black hoses can reduce the risk from feces
and bring in hotter water. The sources emit hot water of varying
temperatures though multiple fissures located all over a huge 70 ft
granite outcropping that rises right out of Warm Springs Creek. Each
of the pools are fed by water running down the granite, and 2 can be
fed by long black plastic tubes. The 1st pool is natural save for one
hose that is used to bring in cold creek water. It is also very
unique because of how it is set inside a cave. The next 2
pools have been built with a rock and mortar walls... all 3 are
beautiful. Keep in mind that the pools will probably need to be
cleaned and drained (and refilled) out a few times before use.
Deadwood is a true jewel, please treat this area with care.
Rating:
A
Average Rating:
A
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