Tag: leaf peeping

Fifth Water Hot Springs, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Fifth Water Hot Springs, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

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Fifth Water Hot Springs has been on my radar for years. I’ve seen the gorgeous pictures on IG and FB, but I knew the experience would be more like an “attraction” than a hike, so I haven’t gone out of my way to check it out. On this adventure trip, it was on my way with daylight to burn. While its popularity is a major deterrent, I decided to brave the “crowds” and finally see it for myself.

I arrived midday. (Yes, it was a mistake, but it was either now or never). (If you can, go at dawn.) The parking lot was full. People were parked at risk along the roadside. Luckily, I found a pullout a mile back and didn’t get towed or ticketed. (However, I did see a tow truck getting busy on the way back.)

Lots of people (too many) on the trail and in the pools, as you’d expect. It definitely has more of a water park vibe. I guess that’s to be expected with an easy, short, 4.5-mile roundtrip hike near a big city (SLC).

The trail to the pools along the stream is especially lovely in the Fall.

As you get closer, there’s a slight smell of sulfur that seems to dissipate when you reach the pools.

The waterfall at the end was a nice surprise.

I satisfied my curiosity. Would I go back? Only if I can make it to the trailhead at dawn.

Notes: The road is closed in the winter. Info here. Harmful bacteria may be present in the hot springs. Info here

Getting there: Take the US-6 towards Price and make a left on Diamond Fork Road.

Lower Calf Falls, Especially Lovely in the Fall! Grand Staircase Escalante, UT

Lower Calf Falls, Especially Lovely in the Fall! Grand Staircase Escalante, UT

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Lovely Lower Calf Falls, Grand Staircase Escalante, UT

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation: ~500 ft

Difficulty: Easy (with a fair amount of thick sand walking)

Highlights: 126-foot cascade into a shallow pool, giant petroglyphs in the distance

I was fortunate to return to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Autumn, and it was spectacular! Traces from the season’s first snow accented the gorgeous Fall colors and seeing the waterfall framed in golden leaves was glorious. So much beauty! And thankfully, with the cold, wet weather, there were only a handful of people on the trail. Can’t imagine a better way to experience this magical place!

As you can see, this amazing gem is definitely worth a visit. Lower Calf Falls cascades over a nearly vertical cliff face into a large pool that is enclosed on three sides by sheer Navajo sandstone walls. Pick up an interpretive pamphlet at the trailhead to learn about the flora along the trail and giant petroglyphs in the distance (too far in the distance to get a good pic).

Summer Slide Show

Without question, Grand Staircase Escalante is National Park caliber and deserves to be preserved and protected. Stay tuned for more posts on this area!

Notes: This is a very popular destination for obvious reasons. Go early / late to avoid the crowds. Off-season in stormy weather will deliver more solitude.

Get the scoop on Upper Calf Creek Falls.

Soapbox: If you bring pets, please pick up their poop! This trail (single track in many spots) and the falls’ area are small and quickly becoming overrun and overused. One fellow watched me watching him after his Labrador left a big poop pile on the trail. He took out a poop bag, and then when I turned away, he tucked the bag back in his pocket and left the steaming pile! ARRRGH! No respect for fellow hikers or nature. They should permit this hike, at least on weekends, and fine those who litter and leave their dog’s poop. Don’t get me started about the imbeciles who bag poop and then leave the full bag. I can’t get my head around people who go somewhere to enjoy nature’s beauty and then defile it.

Getting there: Highway 12 to the BLM-managed Calf Creek Recreation Area. The parking lot has limited parking. Go early, or you may have to park along the highway.

Happy Trails!