The Adventures of Fric and Frac: Adventure 520: Challis Hot Springs/Post B

6 x6 x3/ 105 degrees

We executed Plan A, and then some. It's a sixty minute drive to Stanley from Challis. The drive follows a winding two lane road that meanders beside the Salmon river. Steep canyons rise above on both sides. One side is barren sagebrush and rock falls. The other is filled with pine trees some of which find their roots all the way to the water. There's evidence of several fires that have left the pines as singed as jilted lovers, but the area has lost none of its luster. The drive is spectacular, and this morning we had the whole road to ourselves. As usual, people live all along the way, and there's a long history of pioneers in the area including a very famous gold mine along the Yankee fork. It takes a hearty soul to carve a life in this rugged land. Besides the harshness of the terrain, the winters are long and dark. Breakfast was worth it (as usual), and even though we arrived just a half hour after opening time, the place was bustling. After breakfast we drove six miles or so to the fish hatchery, parked the car, and rode toward Galena Pass. The temperature was in the low forties, so we were chilly, and the air was wet, although not raining. It was still delightful. On the way back Judy surprised me by suggesting we stop at the Slate Creek hot spring, which is 7.5 miles up a dirt road just South of mile marker 214. We first visited Slate Creek with Dave and Liz Ulmen some years ago, and once before, we tried to go. Since it's a four seater, rustically built in the open air, it doesn't take much for the place to be full. We fully expected it to be crowded this time as well. To our surprise, none of the camping areas were occupied, and there was just one car when we arrived. We scampered up the narrow slate trail, passing a couple on their way out. As a result, we blissfully enjoyed our own private paradise. Needless to say, we consider life to be good, especially today.

The "Cager" won again this morning, eliciting a "high five" from the waitress. I guess I'm not the only aged white male suffering from outrageous fortune.

This pool, cleverly designed includes a drain plug and hot and cold water blended to a very pleasant 105-6 degrees. It's variable because the hot and cold water flow can be controlled at the entry level just by moving the pipes.