Accessing Bagby Hot Springs in April
April 24, 2008 6:30 PM Subscribe
I'd like to soak in Bagby hot springs this weekend (Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon). Never been there before so I'm looking for advice concerning when it opens and how hard it would be to get there this time of year. Also, where to camp?
A buddy and I are visiting Bagby for the first time. We'll be taking a daypack and tent and would like to camp as close to the hot springs as possible. We just need a place to pitch a tent and start a fire (if allowed).
According to this press release, the roads may still be unplowed.
Also, this page states that the roads were closed on the 12th, anyone know if they're open again? If they're not open, where could we park and would it be within hiking distance to still get to the springs?
So many questions, I know. But it just seems like a perfect weekend to visit the hot springs for the first time. Mostly, I'm just wondering if we can still access the hot springs and if so, where can we camp near them.
Thanks!
A buddy and I are visiting Bagby for the first time. We'll be taking a daypack and tent and would like to camp as close to the hot springs as possible. We just need a place to pitch a tent and start a fire (if allowed).
According to this press release, the roads may still be unplowed.
Also, this page states that the roads were closed on the 12th, anyone know if they're open again? If they're not open, where could we park and would it be within hiking distance to still get to the springs?
So many questions, I know. But it just seems like a perfect weekend to visit the hot springs for the first time. Mostly, I'm just wondering if we can still access the hot springs and if so, where can we camp near them.
Thanks!
Best answer: Seconding calling ahead of time. But don't call the name at the top of the release; that's a media contact. You most likely want to call this:
Clackamas River Ranger Station, Estacada, OR 503-630-6861
If that's not the right number, they'll give you the right one.
Call tomorrow during business hours (when Forest Service offices are most likely to be staffed) and inquire. Folks who work for the Forest Service are shockingly helpful.
posted by purpleclover at 7:00 PM on April 24, 2008
Clackamas River Ranger Station, Estacada, OR 503-630-6861
If that's not the right number, they'll give you the right one.
Call tomorrow during business hours (when Forest Service offices are most likely to be staffed) and inquire. Folks who work for the Forest Service are shockingly helpful.
posted by purpleclover at 7:00 PM on April 24, 2008
fyi. The number I gave was the one for the office in Sandy (not the media contact)....which seemed like it might be the right office from my vague recollections.
posted by fieldtrip at 7:10 PM on April 24, 2008
posted by fieldtrip at 7:10 PM on April 24, 2008
Response by poster: Great - I'll be calling first thing tomorrow morning.
My buddy just suggested renting some cross-country skis to make the trek - thought that sounded like a great option.
Can any locals recommend a good (cheap) place to rent cross-country ski equipment near Wilsonville or Woodburn?
posted by charlesroper at 8:28 PM on April 24, 2008
My buddy just suggested renting some cross-country skis to make the trek - thought that sounded like a great option.
Can any locals recommend a good (cheap) place to rent cross-country ski equipment near Wilsonville or Woodburn?
posted by charlesroper at 8:28 PM on April 24, 2008
Rent your skis on the way up the to the mountain. Stopping in Sandy to rent skis or snow shoes is quick and cheap.
I've never bothered calling ahead to check store hours or availability and never had a problem. But I tend to be lucky with that sort of thing. YMMV.
posted by terpia at 8:41 PM on April 24, 2008
I've never bothered calling ahead to check store hours or availability and never had a problem. But I tend to be lucky with that sort of thing. YMMV.
posted by terpia at 8:41 PM on April 24, 2008
I went there once during forest fire season. The rangers stopped us at a checkpoint and we waited in line for a half hour or so. We were getting pretty bummed, because it was starting to look like they weren't going to let us up there. Then one of the rangers told us all to get ready and the whole train took off up into the mountains. The sun had set by now, and he led us and 5 or so other vehicles through miles of smoldering forest. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
I don't think that answers the question, but I wanted to share. Bagby is a cool place. Just remember, you're in the wilderness.
posted by Area Control at 8:46 PM on April 24, 2008
I don't think that answers the question, but I wanted to share. Bagby is a cool place. Just remember, you're in the wilderness.
posted by Area Control at 8:46 PM on April 24, 2008
Bagby Hot springs requires a mile and a half hike to reach. Parts of the trail are slippery and muddy during the spring ... that's the bad news. The rest is all good. The hike is one of the prettiest in Northern Oregon with its beautiful rain forest and many waterfalls and streams. The elevation is about 2,000 feet, so it is accessible most of the year. (according to google)
posted by hortense at 8:50 PM on April 24, 2008
posted by hortense at 8:50 PM on April 24, 2008
Response by poster: Just nabbed these off of craigslist - so I guess we'll make it one way or another.
I'll call tomorrow to check on campsites and fire regulations.
Thanks mefites!
posted by charlesroper at 8:55 PM on April 24, 2008
I'll call tomorrow to check on campsites and fire regulations.
Thanks mefites!
posted by charlesroper at 8:55 PM on April 24, 2008
Response by poster: Called today. The ranger said it would be a 6-8 mile hike (ski) to the hot springs. And we could camp wherever we wanted to, so long as we're willing to sleep on 4 feet of snow.
The good news is, since snow is preventing us from parking at the Bagby trailhead, we won't need to pay $5 for a Forest Pass.
Many thanks to all - I appreciate your input!
posted by charlesroper at 10:29 AM on April 25, 2008
The good news is, since snow is preventing us from parking at the Bagby trailhead, we won't need to pay $5 for a Forest Pass.
Many thanks to all - I appreciate your input!
posted by charlesroper at 10:29 AM on April 25, 2008
charlesroper- Please let us know how it went. I miss that area.
posted by fieldtrip at 8:30 PM on April 25, 2008
posted by fieldtrip at 8:30 PM on April 25, 2008
Response by poster: It was absolutely amazing. We drove as far as we could on the snow covered road to the trailhead - which still left us about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. We skied to the trailhead, with full packs, and ditched our skis in the woods because skiing on the actual trail was very impractical (and dangerous in some spots).
We made it to the springs at around 5pm on Saturday but decided to keep hiking about another quarter mile to a camping area. After shoveling out a spot by the river for our tent, we were able to set up camp and rest after a 4.5 mile hike (which seemed like a lot in all that snow). Good thing we decided to hoist up a bear bag because the next morning there was a fresh pile of bear droppings within 50ft. of our packs.
Got up early Sunday morning and made the trek back, making sure to spend a few hours soaking in the hot springs - which was, in and of itself, a spiritual experience. Due to the difficulty of the hike, there were only two other people at the springs the entire time we were soaking - so it was absolutely silent.
Made it back to the trailhead where we snapped on the skis and trekked back to the car. The snow-line is receding pretty fast, because when we returned to the car, the snow had already melted another 100 yards in front of our car.
Very rarely do events in my life happen exactly as I had pictured they would - this is an exception. It was as beautiful as I thought it was going to be and as peaceful as one can imagine.
Thanks for all of your input on the subject - I'd recommend the hot springs to anybody (so long as you visit at one of the off-peak times).
posted by charlesroper at 8:38 AM on April 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
We made it to the springs at around 5pm on Saturday but decided to keep hiking about another quarter mile to a camping area. After shoveling out a spot by the river for our tent, we were able to set up camp and rest after a 4.5 mile hike (which seemed like a lot in all that snow). Good thing we decided to hoist up a bear bag because the next morning there was a fresh pile of bear droppings within 50ft. of our packs.
Got up early Sunday morning and made the trek back, making sure to spend a few hours soaking in the hot springs - which was, in and of itself, a spiritual experience. Due to the difficulty of the hike, there were only two other people at the springs the entire time we were soaking - so it was absolutely silent.
Made it back to the trailhead where we snapped on the skis and trekked back to the car. The snow-line is receding pretty fast, because when we returned to the car, the snow had already melted another 100 yards in front of our car.
Very rarely do events in my life happen exactly as I had pictured they would - this is an exception. It was as beautiful as I thought it was going to be and as peaceful as one can imagine.
Thanks for all of your input on the subject - I'd recommend the hot springs to anybody (so long as you visit at one of the off-peak times).
posted by charlesroper at 8:38 AM on April 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
FWIW when I lived in Portland and made my one attempt to go to Bagby it was about this time of year and we kept driving on a snowy road (in the middle of the night no less) well past when we should have...high centered the Subaru in the middle of the road trying to drive through too deep of snow. And, ended up sleeping in the back. Of course, that was the impetus for my then friend to become my girlfriend for a couple of years....so, that worked out okay. And, some country folk with a monster truck pulled us out to less deep snow the next day.
posted by fieldtrip at 6:43 PM on April 24, 2008