Fifth Water Hot Springs road conditions

[jman]

It's been over 10 years since I have been here and I have heard that the front entrance, since the road is closed for the winter, is a 7 mile walk, one way??

When I was there the last time, I went in January with a few friends and took the "back entrance". Maybe like a 2 1/2 mile hike one-way. I'd prefer to go this way, unless of course road conditions have changed since then. Is this the preferred driving route in winter?

[Sombeech]

When I was there the last time, I went in January with a few friends and took the "back entrance".

I've heard of people taking the back entrance a lot while at the springs


On another note, this destination has been on my list for a while, the only thing that turns me off is the thought of hiking in to meet up with hoards of people. You'll have to let us know how it is this time of year.

[rockgremlin]

I've heard of people taking the back entrance a lot while at the springs


On another note, this destination has been on my list for a while, the only thing that turns me off is the thought of hiking in to meet up with hoards of people. You'll have to let us know how it is this time of year.


For some reason, the folks who consume a lot of alcohol are more prone to access the springs via the back entrance. I don't quite understand it. Hell, I've been up to the springs a half dozen times and I only ever use the back entrance...and I don't drink. :ne_nau:

[jman]

Lol.


Well my goal is to take the drone and film all of the nude bathers...


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[Sombeech]

Lol.


Well my goal is to take the drone and film all of the nude bathers...


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Yeah instead of people asking you not to film them, with these people you'd be begging them to not be in your footage.

[rockgremlin]

Yeah instead of people asking you not to film them, with these people you'd be begging them to not be in your footage.


Yup. Lots of saggy skin and grey hair up around those parts. A rare exception would be when some college kids pack in a 24 pack of Bud Light on a random weekend, but that's not nearly as common as the active retiree crowds that frequent that place.

[jman]

Yup. Lots of saggy skin and grey hair up around those parts. A rare exception would be when some college kids pack in a 12 pack of alcohol on a random weekend, but that's not nearly as common as the active retiree crowds that frequent that place.

Since these have grown in popularity within the last 15 years I will say I’m not too anxious to see what has changed, new hot pot tubs, trash, etc.

But I hope I am surprised.

Meadow hot springs was awesome until the gate we left open and people soon parked literally 12” away from the hot spring. Soon after, DEEP tire ruts formed as people drove through the mud, many abandoned fireplaces and burn marks surrounding the springs, etc.

:(




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[rockgremlin]

^^^Speaking of Meadow hot springs, we went out there just a few months ago, and I was pretty shocked at how 2 out of the 3 hot pots aren't hot at all. One is kinda warm, and the other is on the colder side of tepid. And both are partially covered in moss -- yuck! Only the most popular one (closest to the road) is hot -- and even then it's not too hot at all.

While there, I overheard a conversation about the geology of the springs:

Bather1: "I wonder how deep this pool is...?"

Bather2: "Well, considering that these hot pots go all the way to the center of the Earth, pretty deep I'd say!"


Me standing on the edge of the pool: <rolling my eyes and biting my tongue> :roll: :roll:

[Sandstone Addiction]

I could be mistaken, but I'm almost positive the Sheep Creek (the road to the up-canyon 5th Water TH) road is not plowed and closed in the winter, unless you have a snowmobile.

The USFS office could confirm that.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/uwcnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=stelprdb5042983)
44 West 400 North
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
(801) 798-3571

[Iceaxe]

I could be mistaken, but I'm almost positive the Sheep Creek (the road to the up-canyon 5th Water TH) road is not plowed and closed in the winter, unless you have a snowmobile.

The USFS office could confirm that.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/uwcnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=stelprdb5042983)
44 West 400 North
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
(801) 798-3571The upper road is not plowed, but I've always been able to drive in no problem with 4x4,

[Udink]

I've heard of people taking the back entrance a lot while at the springs.
Hah.

[Sombeech]

Hah.

FINALLY

[rockgremlin]

FINALLY

If you were waiting for a reaction from this joke I hope you were able to notice that my first reply was all tongue in cheek - I picked up where your joke left off.

[jman]

Alright, so I’m back. Here’s my quick report:

13.2 miles going the normal way and not the back entrance ;) (I know I know...hilarious...)

We initially tried sheep creek road and about 100 yards on to it you hit a gate. It wasn’t locked so we just moved it and continued on for about 3 miles. Definitely not plowed but there was maybe 4” of powder. Easy stuff. Then we hit the 2nd gate which this time it was locked and said no motorized vehicles past this point except snowmobiles. We tried lifting the gate, and yup, definitely locked right.

And from the look of it, it’s been a while since anyone has been on that road. No tracks anywhere.

So we drove around and did the other entrance. 13.2 miles round trip in 5 1/2 hours including an hour at the springs.

Got some sweet drone footage though. And thankfully it wasn’t in bad conditions as I predicted. But there was a lot of trash laying around. Picked up one full bag of trash. And old piping is scattered everywhere. That would be a good service project for someone...


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[rockgremlin]

Alright, so I’m back. Here’s my quick report:

13.2 miles going the normal way and not the back entrance ;) (I know I know...hilarious...)

We initially tried sheep creek road and about 100 yards on to it you hit a gate. It wasn’t locked so we just moved it and continued on for about 3 miles. Definitely not plowed but there was maybe 4” of powder. Easy stuff. Then we hit the 2nd gate which this time it was locked and said no motorized vehicles past this point except snowmobiles. We tried lifting the gate, and yup, definitely locked right.

And from the look of it, it’s been a while since anyone has been on that road. No tracks anywhere.

So we drove around and did the other entrance. 13.2 miles round trip in 5 1/2 hours including an hour at the springs.

Got some sweet drone footage though. And thankfully it wasn’t in bad conditions as I predicted. But there was a lot of trash laying around. Picked up one full bag of trash. And old piping is scattered everywhere. That would be a good service project for someone...


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You're my new hero.

I always hate it when I roll up on places like this and they're packed full of miscellaneous garbage from lazy assholes who can't be bothered to clean up after themselves. Like...I'd expect to see that at a monster truck rally or a Justin Bieber concert, but a beautiful alpine hot spring waterfall? Come ON!!

[Iceaxe]

Like...I'd expect to see that at a NASCAR event or a Justin Bieber concert, but a beautiful alpine hot spring waterfall?

Actually you would never see that at a NASCAR race, even if you were in the snake pit (cheap infield seats). Most die hard race fans are a little older, more mature and have actual manners.

[rockgremlin]

Actually you would never see that at a NASCAR race, even if you were in the snake pit (cheap infield seats). Most die hard race fans are a little older, more mature and have actual manners.


Thought you might chime in about that, lol.

I fixed it.

[Sombeech]

Alright, so I’m back. Here’s my quick report:

13.2 miles going the normal way and not the back entrance ;) (I know I know...hilarious...)

We initially tried sheep creek road and about 100 yards on to it you hit a gate. It wasn’t locked so we just moved it and continued on for about 3 miles. Definitely not plowed but there was maybe 4” of powder. Easy stuff. Then we hit the 2nd gate which this time it was locked and said no motorized vehicles past this point except snowmobiles. We tried lifting the gate, and yup, definitely locked right.

And from the look of it, it’s been a while since anyone has been on that road. No tracks anywhere.

So we drove around and did the other entrance. 13.2 miles round trip in 5 1/2 hours including an hour at the springs.

Got some sweet drone footage though. And thankfully it wasn’t in bad conditions as I predicted. But there was a lot of trash laying around. Picked up one full bag of trash. And old piping is scattered everywhere. That would be a good service project for someone...


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Cool! Can't wait to see it

[jman]

Here’s my drone vid:


http://youtu.be/JVYPkuxgSMg



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[rockgremlin]

Here’s my drone vid:

https://youtu.be/JVYPkuxgSMg



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Wow!! That's really cool!! Those springs have changed a lot since the last time I was up there ~ 20 years ago. It appears there's been substantial remodeling -- a lot of those lower pools weren't as developed, and the upper pools were more makeshift. Looks great right now. Makes me wanna go for a 13 mile hike...and post a.....<gasp> TR!! <gasp>

Seriously though, thanks for posting the video. It looks really good. You guys were probably the most attractive bunch up there that day. Most of the bathers I see up there are usually fat, wrinkly democrats.

[Sombeech]

Here’s my drone vid:

https://youtu.be/JVYPkuxgSMg



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Cool, the blue water against the white snow. Yeah I need to get up there.

[Sombeech]

Here’s my drone vid:


http://youtu.be/JVYPkuxgSMg



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Hey so you know what else you should do, I've learned that the short 20 second clips with a single scene, seem to hit good on Instagram. So take one of your shots overlooking the springs with the blue water against the white, and if you've got a scene either flying slowly towards or backwards from it, without pivoting, that would be a good clip.

[Iceaxe]

Here’s my drone vid:

Cool video, but dump that huge annoying copyright logo. A nice small one at the end does the same thing.

[jman]

Cool video, but dump that huge annoying copyright logo. A nice small one at the end does the same thing.

It’s funny, I’ve tossed that idea around back and forth a few times in my head.

Even my mom agrees with you! My dad thinks to keep it just so no one else can copy seconds of the video and claim it as their own.

My next video(s) may have it removed and do something at the end like you said.




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[Sombeech]

My dad thinks to keep it just so no one else can copy seconds of the video and claim it as their own.


I used to consider that too, but if you want the big media outlets to show your footage, they will be hesitant to show it with any text or image tag. They want it to appear as if it's theirs, but they'll give you credit verbally or in the text description.

I provide a free untagged 4k version to the media outlets in a Google Drive folder. I've found that the more generous I am, the more willing they are to contact me out of the blue asking if I've got any good stuff lately. Then once it's being shared in the local news media, that's when the big boys might see it, and be willing to pay for it.

My mom thinks Facebook should be paying me each time I upload a video, and I tell her the USB connection is broken on my computer money printer.

[jman]

I used to consider that too, but if you want the big media outlets to show your footage, they will be hesitant to show it with any text or image tag. They want it to appear as if it's theirs, but they'll give you credit verbally or in the text description.

I provide a free untagged 4k version to the media outlets in a Google Drive folder. I've found that the more generous I am, the more willing they are to contact me out of the blue asking if I've got any good stuff lately. Then once it's being shared in the local news media, that's when the big boys might see it, and be willing to pay for it.

My mom thinks Facebook should be paying me each time I upload a video, and I tell her the USB connection is broken on my computer money printer.


Sweet. Thanks for the tips! I watch closely when you post your drone vids on FB and gauge or trend popular reaction. M

And thanks for the instagram idea too. It’s amazing cause I posted one video on their and now have like 300 subscribers because of that. I should do that more continually but one vid.

While I don’t consume social media, I’ll sure as well and exploit it though. ;)


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[Iceaxe]

It’s funny, I’ve tossed that idea around back and forth a few times in my head.

Even my mom agrees with you! My dad thinks to keep it just so no one else can copy seconds of the video and claim it as their own.

My next video(s) may have it removed and do something at the end like you said.




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If someone wants to steal your video there is little you can do. They can crop the logo out of the corner just as easy as they can crop it off the end. So by splashing the huge ass copyright across the front you are really only penalizing the honest folks who are just trying to enjoy the show.

YMMV

[jman]

If someone wants to steal your video there is little you can do. They can crop the logo out of the corner just as easy as they can crop it off the end. So by splashing the huge ass copyright across the front you are really only penalizing the honest folks who are just trying to enjoy the show.

YMMV

Hmm... yeah, that’s a good point. Thanks for the objective reasoning.


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[ShaunasAdventures]

I got a ticket when I hiked this. I thought I was totally off the road, and there was NO signs saying no parking, but I still got a ticket. I was shocked how many people were in that canyon on a Saturday. Lucky for me, I enjoyed the gorgeous hike more than the water pools, so the amount of people didn't bother me. If you want to see my post on my hike you can check it out here.
89948
https://shaunasadventures.blogspot.com/2018/05/360-adventure-up-fifth-water-hot.html

[rockgremlin]

I got a ticket when I hiked this. I thought I was totally off the road, and there was NO signs saying no parking, but I still got a ticket. I was shocked how many people were in that canyon on a Saturday. Lucky for me, I enjoyed the gorgeous hike more than the water pools, so the amount of people didn't bother me. If you want to see my post on my hike you can check it out here.
89948
https://shaunasadventures.blogspot.com/2018/05/360-adventure-up-fifth-water-hot.html


When you commented that you got a ticket at Fifth Water Spring hot springs, I thought it was for something other than parking issues...:naughty:

I've been up there a half dozen times, and there is always a group somewhere up there who are just minding their own business....in the buff. At one point there were signs posted warning of potential nudity. Not sure if they're still there since I don't think the county condones that.

[Iceaxe]

I would never do this hike on a Saturday, in fact I try to avoid doing any crowded adventures under the Utah County bubble on a Saturday as they are all insanely crowded, Sundays are always much less.