Flowing down the waterfall is cold stream water.
The hot water gushes out from both sides of that waterfall basin.
Hiking along the stream
When I landed in Salt Lake City, I was planning to go up north to enjoy some wild hot springs, but unfortunately it was raining.
So I changed my plan and drove a little over an hour south to Fifth Water Hot Springs.
This is a popular hiking trail that attracts many locals on weekends.
It's a 4.6-mile round trip, moderately long and well maintained, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the mountain stream from start to finish.
Blueish water
When I could smell the sulfur, I had arrived.
There were two main areas where the hot water was gushing.
The first was downstream, where there was a small waterfall.
Hot water gushed out on the right bank and was poured directly into the deep pool surrounded by rocks.
The water in the stream looked bluish because it was mixed with such a large amount of thermal water.
Depending on the natural conditions, the coloration may be strong until it turns turquoise.
The second area was upstream, around a large waterfall.
The largest pool on the right bank was large enough to hold ten people.
The source of the spring was located at the place where the channel extended in the direction of the waterfall.
This is amazing!
The hot spring water, nearly 140 degrees F, gushes out incessantly.
Cold stream water mixed in between the rocks, and the hot pools were almost the right temperature.
I had to be careful because some points were hot enough to burn.
The waterfall flowed down in a way that overcame the exposed fault.
Faults are generally considered to be the pathways through which hot springs deep underground come to the surface.
On the left bank across the shallow waterfall basin, the river bottom was stained reddish brown.
Here, too, thermal water was gushing out, mixing nicely with the water from the stream and pouring into small pools.
The sulfur content here was particularly strong, with a pronounced odor and a greenish coloration.
A supreme soaking environment dominated by the sound of the waterfall.
There is a confusing U.S. Forest Service sign that reads soakers should be prudent, but in reality, the spot is visited by many families, so clothing is required.
I saw an article about firefighters employed by the U.S. Forest Service who were cited by a sheriff for a violation while soaking nude.
What a shame.
Personally, I think people should be able to soak in such a natural place in their natural state.
Summary
Fifth Water (Diamond Fork) Hot Springs, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah, U.S.
My rating
Type: Undeveloped
Rule: Clothing required
Chemical use: No
Water temp: Up to 140 degrees F
