Towards the end of our nine months at Powell Idaho, we finally ventured to a wonderful spot that we had been told about but sadly never got to before. Crossing the wide Selway River on a wooden suspension bridge was exciting enough. The sturdy structure was strong enough for horses and pack trains but seemed so much less so. In actuality the Warm Springs trailhead (Mile Marker 152) is an entry for packing into the Selway-Bitteroot wilderness area that lies beyond. The quiet, soft, needle padded trail was well developed leading us into a grove of sizeable cedar trees and after about three quarters of a mile appeared natural rock ringed pools of steaming, odorless, water. Later research revealed that these primitive springs, and their parent creek, were named for a prospector that built a cabin nearby in 1898. Alleged 140 degree water pours from two waterfalls further up the creek and the soaking pools below cool off to an average 100+ degrees.
Our two little ones (Becca was present but not of the outside world yet) were fascinated and after a moment or two of hesitation, Cece gingerly tried the water temperature with her big toe. Pronouncing it fine, she peeled to her sky blue swimsuit and slowly immersed herself up to her waist with Kate’s help. Getting Daniel out of the backpack carrier that I had hiked him in on, we quickly shucked off his little jumpsuit and even soakers and diapers. I went in with him and held the little, chubby, roto-man in my arms. You could visibly see him relax in the warmth and playing his hands idly in the water, he simply allowed himself to be held in a floating position forever, it seemed.
Not wanting to get too overheated and perhaps mindful of vague tales of unhealthiness in publicly used hot springs we did not dally for too long. Getting Daniel out was a big chore as he had totally become limp lump of protoplasm, a little putty boy. Getting his clothes back on un-resisting and spaghetti-like appendages was hard! Finally we succeeded and he was back in the pack and on my back. However, I do not think it was 100 yards along the trail before he was asleep and Cece followed him quickly once we were back to the van wending our way home.
What a wonderful day! That is one place I would love to visit again.
9-1-10
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