Hiking - Fifth Water Hot Springs, Spanish Fk Cyn 10/12/24

Sample Itinerary:

Trailhead - 7:30 am

Hike to Springs - 7:40 am - 9:30 am

Soak - 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Hike Back - 11:00 am

Directions: Fifth Water Hot Springs Trailhead, Diamond Fork Cyn, Spanish Fork Cyn.

To get to the trailhead, drive Hwy 6 east from Spanish Fork for about 11 miles to the signed Diamond Fork turnoff. Follow the Diamond Fork road about 10 miles to the signed trailhead “Three Forks Trailhead.” If there is no parking at the trailhead, park in the turn offs 0.3 miles away north from the trailhead. PARKING IS VERY DIFFICULT HERE - sometimes lot is full before 730 am.

NOTE - road closes in the winter - around Oct to about May - about 3 miles before the trailhead making it a 10 mile hike round trip. We have used bikes to ride to the trailhead in the winter.

Cost: $10 day use pass or National Parks Pass

Activity: Hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs - 4.5 mile total out and back hike to springs. Start at dirt parking lot with bathroom and pass east through gate. Continue straight on trail until it bends to the left (north) and hike gradually uphill about 1 mile to bridge. The trail crosses the bridge(halfway) going right (east) for another mile gradual incline to hot springs. There are several high dirt cliff areas with narrow trail. There are about 6 pools below the waterfall and 3 above the waterfall (hike to the left of the falls and then take your first right to access). The lower pools are more cloudy blue and the upper are more a clear green with some stonework. All Trails Trip Report.

Bathrooms - yes pit toilets

Cell Phone Reception - no

Dogs - yes

Tips:

• Snakes - There have been Gopher snakes seen in the area (look like rattle snakes without the rattle - DO NOT disturb or kill). Rattlesnakes and Garter snakes also seen in the area - keep your distance and don't disturb

• Water Quality Link

• Leaves at the end of Sept are amazing

Gear: Swimsuit (wear or change there), towel, Jacket, winter hat/gloves (it will be cold starting out the hike), sandals/water shoes (it is nice to have a back on the water shoes, but flip flops will work), change of clothes. Hiking shorts/pants, synthetic T-shirt, long sleeve synthetic top, rain/windproof jacket, shoes with grip, 2 L water, 3-4 snacks, backpack, first aid kit, small knife, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat