Hotsprings along the Salmon River out of Stanley, Idaho.

June 14, 2007.

Our motorhome is in Garrity RV-Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning sipping cool ones might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

We stopped at an old bathhouse on the Salmon River downstream of Stanley, Idaho and found that it had a lot of history. While the very nice stonework bathhouse is what remains from the 1937 building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was originally used as a bathhouse and now is a historic site with no hot water running to it.

For some reason we didn't get a suitable picture of the bathhouse but we did manage to find the source of the rotten egg smell (the hot springs) that furnished water to the no longer functioning bathhouse.

Hot springs along the Salmon River downstream from Stanley, Idaho

It seems that Alexander Ross and his Hudsons Bay Company fur trappers were the first white men to visit these hot springs. His diary describes camping "at the boiling fountain" when they came here on October 1, 1824.

Hot springs along the Salmon River downstream from Stanley, Idaho

This is one of the hot springs.

In case you did not know hot springs result when hot water reaches the earth's surface along fault fracture lines. Super heated water takes sulfur into solution along its way to the surface. The sulfur mixes with hydrogen producing a "rotten egg" smell common to hot springs.

Also near the old historic bathhouse was the foundations of several buildings that reflected on earlier times when the nearby hot springs attracted travelers, settlers, and businessmen. Tales are told of early hot pools, cabins, and a chicken raising operation. At one time a lean-to served as the bathhouse and a nearby cabin was heated by the hot spring water piped into barrels that were located under the floor. Someone also attempted to raise chickens here. The chicken operation wasn't successful but the man who tried, Barzilla Clark, went on to become Mayor of Idaho Falls and Governor of Idaho.

Hot springs along the Salmon River downstream from Stanley, Idaho

These hot springs have served many over the years ------- but now are just a roadside attraction with a rotten egg smell.

Charmin plant

While at the hot springs we spotted this "Charmin" plant. You might recall that when we followed the Oregon Trail last year we learned that this plant was used by emigrants for toilet paper because the leaves were soft as "Charmin". And now you know the rest of the story. VBG

Wild Rose blooms

And on a more serious note Joyce spotted this wild rose bush complete with delicate violet flowers.

Snowmelt from the Sawtooth Mountains makes the Salmon River

Snowmelt from the Sawtooth Mountains created the Salmon River less than 25-miles south of here. It is hard for us to fathom this much flow coming from snowmelt in a mere 25-miles.

Salmon River downstream from Stanley, Idaho

We are enjoying the Salmon River. It is swift, clear and beautiful.

Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho

The highway SR-74 is closely following the Salmon River.

Old bridge across the Salmon River

Somewhere along the way we found this old bridge crossing the Salmon River to a small Forest Service Campground on the other side.

Salmon River, Salmon River Valley, Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains

Then as we approach Lower Stanley the Sawtooth Mountain Range comes into view across the Salmon River Valley.

The water flowing in the Salmon River all comes from snow melt in the Sawtooth Mountain Range that you see in this picture.