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A short drive from Montana to Idaho |
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Jerry Johnson Hot Springs,
3450 Tina Avenue
Elk City, Idaho |
There are a series of primitive hot springs pools scattered along the banks of a rushing creek in a valley of statuesque cedar trees. Jerry Johnson is not technically a “Montana” hot spring, but many Montanans claim it as their own because Missoula is the closest sizable city to this Idaho soak. Jerry Johnson consists of three separate groups of hot springs, each with a different personality. Named for a prospector who built a cabin near the springs in 1893, Jerry Johnson Hot Springs offers a variety of soothing soaking options in a pastoral forest setting. Both the trail and hot springs are quite primitive. |
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The signs says "Warm Springs" because Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is off of Warm Springs Creek. |
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The trail crossed a suspension bridge over the Lochsa and followed Warm Springs Creek to the pools. |
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After crossing the suspension bridge, the two RV Gypsies looked back at the bridge and then started on the long, rugged, steep trail to the hot springs. |
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Karen Duquette took photos of the river
along the way to the hot springs. |
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Looking down, the two RV Gypsies saw people relaxing in the hot springs. But the trail was super steep and someone told the two RV Gypsies to go around the corner and under the tree branch for easier access. So they did. |
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OK, so Lee is ready to go under the tree branch. Then it was still a steep difficult drop down to the hot springs. |
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The two RV Gypsies managed to make it down to the hot springs. Several people were relaxing naked, and Karen was careful NOT to get any of them in her photos. Clothing-optional pools are restricted to day-use only. |
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The hot water sprinkled down the cliffs like a gentle waterfall as Karen enjoyed the experience. |
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