Indian Bathtubs

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 6 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, II+.
Season: February 15-May 1.
USGS Maps: Crowbar Gulch, Hot Springs.
BLM 100K Map: Glenns Ferry.
Dirt Road Miles: 3 3/4 gravel, 1 fair dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 11, T8S R6E.

Introduction: This is a surprisingly good hike: close to civilization, with almost year around access, and with high-quality vegetation and scenery. Plus, it's part of the Bruneau Canyon Wilderness Study Area, and the hike lets you see both under-the-rim and plateau portions of the WSA.
  The author recently took a weekend car-camp hiking trip here during a warm November weekend: superb!
  Sadly, an environmental catastrophe has occurred here: what used to be Indian Bathtubs, a lukewarm pool that was the scene of innumerable teen parties, is now a dry gulch. The cause: either aquifer depletion from increased groundwater pumping, or natural drought. Your choice depends on whether you are an environmentalist or an irrigator. The key victim: not those deprived teenagers but rather the Bruneau snail, which used to live here, and whose continued existence as a species (in other hot water springs along the Bruneau) may be endangered by continued pumping.
  There are two possible routes: a loop hike which descends to the Bruneau, follows a crude trail upstream, climbs to the foot of the Twin Buttes, and then descends to the trailhead; and a direct climb up to and back from the Twin Buttes.   Warning: the Bruneau Canyon and its approach downstream from the Bathtubs are an infamous poison ivy area. All hikers must wear long pants and shirts, and wash hands before eating. People who are sensitive to poison ivy should not attempt the hike down the creek and along the river. Study the appearance of poison ivy-not just the dark green "leaves of three" of the springtime, but the white berries of the fall.

The Hike: Start the loop hike by descending to Hot Springs Creek below the former hot pool. Cross the fence (built in a futile gesture as a grazing exclosure to keep cows from trashing the vegetation around the suddenly-precious Bathtubs) onto private property. Hike downstream, following the left bank. The sparse grass contrasts with the intensely green poison ivy patches near the creek.
  As you approach the Bruneau the creek starts to turn to the left, and supports a dense willow stand. Cross just above the start of the willows, climbing a tiny rock outcrop. You are now on "the trail" that goes upriver--a route of varying quality. For the next mile, the canyon is fairly wide, and cows keep the route open. After one grassy bar that offers fair camping (1/4 mile), you come to a bar with dense rose and currant thickets (1/2 mile). Beyond there, the canyon narrows, the trail climbs above the river's level, and cow use declines.
  As you hike, keep your eyes on the trail, of course, to watch for rocks, rattlers, and poison ivy. But also cast your gaze above the trail. Watch for little benches above the cow zone with lush native vegetation, which support deer. Also, a few clay outcrops on the cliffs provide ideal cliff swallow nest material. And, enjoy the intimate alcoves where small drainages come from the right.
  At the very top of the Crowbar Gulch map, you reach a small grassy bar that offers sloping campsites. Beyond here you briefly climb high above the river until a cliff forces you down. At this point, look ahead toward a bend in the river that pinches off any riverside trail. You'll climb out of the canyon on the grassy slope you see on your side of the stream.
  Start to climb up just after you cross a drainage, following a pretty good trail. You come out right by a little finger of land (D) that offers a superb panoramic view of the Bruneau. At the end of the finger, you'll find a simple rock wall used for shelter from up or down canyon winds, and for cover from approaching wildlife. Closer to the base of the finger, there is a round rock hunting blind.
  To return to the trailhead via the Twin Buttes, cross a fence and head a tiny bit north of west, across the first of several drainages you'll encounter. Don't make any special effort to gain lots of altitude; the closer you can stay to 3000 feet, the better.
  Soon you'll meet the jeep trail your map shows--hopefully, near the two little 3000 foot humps in Section 11. From there, you can see three distinctive rock layers: resistant gray limestone caps on top of the buttes; a pinkish chalk layer at the foot of the buttes that slopes slightly; and a dark brown volcanic layer that occasionally outcrops. Your goal is to follow the pink layer as much as possible, until you come to Twin Buttes.
  Along the way you'll cross many dry creeks, and see a lot of barren ground. But somehow, this barren area has a strong primitive feel you'll long remember. Suddenly, you'll catch up with the jeep trail again, as it approaches Twin Buttes. You can take it back towards the trailhead, or climb the eastern butte. Either way, watch for two pink hills below you (W4). Descend to the west side of the closer pink hill, and follow the creek that starts there all the way back to the hot springs.

Access: Drive to the "One Stop" cafe at the junction on the north edge of Bruneau town. Turn left (east) on the paved road, and follow it for 7 3/4 miles. When the pavement ends (W1), turn right across the old Bruneau bridge. After a long 1/2 mile, turn left on a good gravel road (W2) that climbs to a burned out plateau. Soon after it starts to descend, after 3 miles, note the Twin Buttes ahead, and then turn left on a dirt road (W3) that can be slick when wet. Bear left after 1/2 mile, and you'll reach the big trailhead area, with its fenced exclosure, after another 1/2 mile. There is a decent camping area along the river at the Bruneau River take-out, just downstream from the trailhead.