Tales From My Trekking Poles: Fifth Water Hot Springs

Along the trail to the Hot Springs

Near the half-way point

View of the lower pools early in the morning

This is one of my all-time favorite hikes. I love this hike all seasons of the year, but none better than in the Fall. We backpacked there this past weekend, and the fall colors were so bright they almost hurt our eyes!
This is an easy and scenic hike. It is not uncommon to see families with 2 and 3-year-olds hiking up here. To get to the trailhead from Salt Lake City, head South on I- 15 and take the exit to Highway 6 East toward Price. When you get off the freeway, zero your odometer as you pass the McDonalds and go 9.7 miles up Spanish Fork Canyon. If you forgot to check your mileage at McDonalds, you can start clocking just as you pass those awesome huge windmills about 4 miles up the canyon, and go 5 miles from there. At that point, look for a large brown sign pointing left to Diamond Campground. This is where you turn left. (If you reach the turnoff to Manti, you went a bit too far.) As soon as you turn left at the brown sign, reset your odometer and go 9.6 miles up Diamond Fork Canyon. If you want to take a fun little rest stop, look for a red rock picnic area 6.7 miles up the canyon on your left. (I think it is called Red Cliff) From the parking lot you can look up to your right, and see marks on the cliff where there used to be a waterfall, maybe 50 yards away. In the spring there is some water running down it. At the base of the waterfall is a carving of a sun, that looks very old, and according to some journal, I believe, was carved by the Escalante party in 1776. There is one spot on the climb up there that is kind of difficult, but there is usually a rope hanging there to help you pull yourself up. After this little stop, get back in your vehicle and drive another 2.9 miles up Diamond Fork Canyon ( or 9.6 miles from the bottom of the canyon). At this point, you will see a sign that says
Three Forks Trailhead. Turn in here and park your car. If the lot is full, you will have to drive 1/2 mile further up or back down the canyon and park on the side of the road.)As of June 4, 2024 a fee will be charged to use this area. There will be a pay tube at the parking lot. Bring $10 cash or check and a pen or pencil to fill out the envelope. You can also buy a pass at the Spanish Fork Ranger district. A 1 year pass is $60. Or you can buy an America the Beautiful pass for $80. If you are a senior you can buy a lifetime pass. From this parking lot, you go through the gate behind the restrooms. Do not go over the footbridge. Just follow the trail about 2 1/2 miles to the hot pots. There is a footbridge about half way, that crosses Sixth Water, which comes from Strawberry Reservoir, and has some good fishing! As you approach the hot springs, you will notice a sulphur odor, and you know you are close. Once you get in the springs, you quickly forget about the slight odor as you luxuriate in the warm water! There are several different pools to explore, each with different temperatures. About 100 yards above the first pools, is a waterfall where you can climb underneath it and stick your upper body through a hole in the built-up minerals. If you climb up above this waterfall, you will find some more hot pots; past that is a beautiful triple waterfall, and past that, are several great places to set up a tent if you backpacked in.