Day 12: Hike to Goldbug hot spring

June 23, 2025

Today's goal is to soak at Goldbug Hot Spring. It's Monday morning. I want to get there early to beat the crowds, have a good sun angle for photos, and minimize sun exposure.

I got up at 7. The tent was 51F. I slept on the side of the bed closest to the electric fireplace. I ate breakfast, then pedaled pedaled the lightly loaded bike 2.4 miles to the trailhead, arriving at 8:30. Five cars were already parked at the trailhead.

On the trail I passed two occupied campsites, and I saw two early-rising couples hiking down the trail. That accounts for 4 of the 5 cars at the trailhead.

I didn't take any photos during the hike up. I just hustled up the trail with the low sun shining in my face. Steep at first, less steep in the middle, then very steep near the top. 2 miles from the trailhead to the hot spring with a net ascent of 900 feet. But there's a 100 foot descent along the way, so it's 2 miles with 1000 feet total ascent to the hot spring. It took me 1 hour 5 minutes. It's all in the sun. My clothes were soaked with sweat by the time I arrived, even though the temperature was only 60F.

First view of Goldbug Hot Spring, from the footbridge above. Only two people there when I arrived.

The first view of the hot spring is from a footbridge across the creek. There was one couple in the pools when I arrived, the 5th car. I accomplished my goal of arriving before it's crowded.

I soaked from 9:45 until 1:15 PM. Managed to stay in shade until about noon. The source waterfall was the usual gushing 102F but the pool was cooler because of a large flow of cold water from the creek. I did nothing about it at first. I just stayed closer to the hot waterfall and farther from the cold infiltration. Other soakers did the same.

The source waterfall is 102F, makes a powerful massage.

Soakers have a good view looking up and down.

After about an hour two of us decided to reduce the cold infiltration. I removed a giant rock that dammed the creek. That reduce the inflow by probably 90%. Much better. The other guy piled rocks in the cold flow to slow it down. It worked. The outer parts of the main pool rose from about 90F to 100F.

Happy feet near the Goldbug Hot Spring waterfall.

People clustered near the waterfall before we reduced cold infiltration from the creek.

The hot spring became gradually more crowded. People filled many surrounding pools.

The first of several lower pools visible below.

Goldbug Hot Spring. The upper pool was 100F.

Just before I left, starting to get sunburned.

It was genuinely crowded when I left. Time to go. Plus, the last hour was in the sun. That's enough for me.

Final view of the upper pools on the way out.

I left the hot spring at about 1:30 PM. Temperature was about 70F. Nice. The hike downhill to the bike was faster and easier. But it was warmer as well. I passed several parties on their way up to the hot spring.

I was surprised to see that prickly pear cactus is common along the trail. It's an exposed west facing slope, but it's also above 5000 feet elevation in a rather northerly latitude.

I saw a lot of cactus along the trail, above 5000 feet elevation.

Near the bottom of the trail I could see a long line of cars parked along the road to the trailhead. I counted 28 vehicles total in the parking lot and along the road. This place is popular, even on Mondays. My only previous visit was in September when it was less crowded.

Vehicles overflowing out of the trailhead parking lot.

The 2.4 mile bike ride back to the tent features the scenic hill climb. My 3rd time on this hilltop, and I will see it again in the morning.

Hilltop view near the glamping tent, looking downstream.

Hilltop view near the glamping tent, looking upstream.

The hike was hard work, so I was glad to have the remainder of the day to rest. I had a much-needed late lunch, then took a glamorous nap from 4-7 PM with the tent door open for ventilation. Temperature outside was 68F and sunny. 10 degrees warmer than yesterday but still cooler than normal. Weather was perfect, but a next door neighbor was sawing wood almost continuously. Yesterday it was dogs barking, today it's sawing. Country living.

The evening was much warmer than yesterday evening. The electric fireplace was able to maintain the tent at 68F after the tent was in full shade. Overall I was happy with my 2 night stay in the glamping tent. The first night was rather cold, but I prefer colder than normal instead of warmer than normal. I wouldn't like the glamping tent if the high temperature was 90F. Lack of plumbing in the tent is the biggest nuisance.

I was surprisingly tired at the end of the day. The hike was hard work, even though I soaked in hot water for 3.5 hours and took a 3 hour nap. I still blame yesterday's 12 mile detour for the fatigue. The 3 consecutive easy days didn't quite feel like a rest day as planned. But I will be fine because tomorrow is relatively easy.

Hiked 4 miles with 1100 feet of ascent.

Distance: 4.8 miles
Average Speed: 8.3 mph
Ascent/Descent: +190/-190 feet

Today's ride: 5 miles (8 km)
Total: 383 miles (616 km)

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