Sheep Creek Bridge Hot Springs - Hot Springs in Idaho

A hot spring that bubbles up near the bridge.

This is one of the hot spring groups along the Middle Fork Boise River, located on the western edge.

Twin Spring Resort

When I looked up the Sheep Creek Bridge Hot Springs on Google Maps, I found that it takes more than two hours to drive there, even though it is close to Boise in a straight line distance.

The reason for this is that you will be driving on rough roads along the Arrowrock Dam.

The Arrowrock Dam, an arched concrete dam completed in 1915, was the tallest dam in the world for nine years after its completion.

The dam's construction also led to the operation of the first publicly owned railroad in the United States.

Alpaca

Not much is known about it.

This is the kind of thing I like.

Capybara

Despite this honorable dam, the road was a winding dirt road that may not have changed much since the past.

The excellent view is also a risk of falling.

Although the road surface was relatively flat, I proceeded with caution.

Along the road near the end of the huge reservoir, there was an inn called Twin Springs Resort.

The minimum stay is 2 nights.

I finally missed the chance to stay at this primitive hot spring inn, which has been in business since 1898, but I was able to observe the wonderful source area from along Arrow Rock Road.

The source itself was covered by a stone hut, but the bubbling stream of the overflowing hot water reached the road.

Entrance to the Group of Wild Hot Springs

Once you get to Twin Springs, you only need to drive 10 more minutes ahead to the Sheep Creek Bridge Hot Springs.

It's easy to notice the Sheep Creek Bridge that spans the Middle Fork Boise River, while it's difficult to find the hot spring at the foot of the bridge without prior knowledge.

There is a space where several cars can be parked, but it is difficult to notice it because the road width naturally widens in the middle of the curve.

It takes less than a minute to walk to the thermal spring from here, but because it is on the other side of the hill by the river, it is not visible from the trailhead.

On a slope with sparse vegetation, I discovered a pool colored with thermophilic algae.

The water, at 133 degrees F, was flowing down from the grass above.

Multiple pools were visible along the slope.

On closer inspection, it was clear that the old water pipes had been left in place, and that they had been installed artificially.

Actually, there is information that the owner of Twin Springs, which we saw earlier, used to maintain here.

The soakers' manners were so bad that he became fed up with managing the site and left it alone.

The hot water pools were either too hot or too warm, and none of them were comfortable.

However, it has remained vividly in my memory as a spot at the “entrance” to the group of wild hot springs along the Middle Fork Boise River.

Summary