Hiking To Our First Hot Spring

So when we visited the Gila Cliff Dwellings we got the opportunity to hike to our very first natural hot springs. In fact it’s the only hot springs we’ve been to and I need to make more of an effort to find them during our travels, because we loved it!

 

The Lightfeather Hot Springs, also known as the Middle Fork Hot Spring, is one of the most popular places to visit in the Gila National Forest. It’s also the one of the easiest natural hot springs to reach in the area.

You start the hike at the Middlefork Trailhead which is a short drive from the national monument’s visitor center. Just past the end of the visitor’s center parking lot drive up a hill and follow the sign to the small parking lot located at the trailhead.

 

Once you park, head through the gate and take trail #157, Middlefork to Lightfeather. The hot spring is located about 3/4 of a mile from the parking lot.

The hot spring is situated in a canyon and flows from the base of a hill into the Middle Fork of the Gila River. To reach the spring you will follow the canyon floor till you reach the river. Continue follwing the river till you find the springs.

You will have multiple water crossings on your journey and your feet WILL get wet!

 

The springs in this area are high in mineral content and are also known as sweet springs. They get this name, because they lack salt and sulfur which gives the water that pungent sulfur smell.

The source of the Lightfeather Hot Spring has a temperature of about 130 degrees and comes out of the ground in one minute increments. In other words, avoid the source unless you want to end up with some serious skin burns.

 

Not far from the source are a number of rock-lined pools constructed in the river that are maintained by visitors and local residents. These small watering holes are where you want to dip your toes in or go for a soak.

There were at least 3 separate pools there when we visited all with varying temperatures. We chose one we liked and soaked our feet and legs for at least 30 minutes. No one else showed up while we were there so having the whole spot to ourselves was a treat.

 

The views of the surrounding canyon are pretty sweet as well. If the wind hadn’t been whipping through the valley so much we would of stayed longer. The wind made it quite chilly though so we packed up and headed back to the car.

If you are visiting this area of Gila National Forest I highly recommend making the trek out to Lightfeather Hot Springs. A lot of primitive and free hot springs that are open to the public aren’t the easiest to get to, but this one is. There’s less that 200 feet of elevation gain during the hike.

You will get to enjoy beautiful scenery on the hike and while soaking in those warm waters at the pools.

For the more adventurous, Jordan Hot Springs can be reached if you travel another 8 miles on the trail through the canyon. The hike is rated moderately strenuous though with almost 50 river crossings.

While some hikers attempt this as a day hike, the forestry service recommends it as an overnight backpacking trip.