Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Worthwhile to stop at Blaney Hot Springs off JMT?

Just checking to see if Blaney Hot Springs is a good (crowded?)stopover while hiking the JMT. Is it more of a mud bath than a hot spring? Also, is it really just half a mile off the JMT?

Thanks!

Pssst . . . don't tell anyone about Blaney. Hey Runnergirl. A hot bath, middle of the day in the middle of the Sierra, worth it.hmmm?

Yah! Old man that I am, I usually stay at Marie Lakes (great place to do a day hike) then get up in the morning, get easily, (what pass?) over selden and spend a few hours jamming my toes into the boots on the endless downhill towards Blaney. Once you clear out of the woods and you're on the scrub switchback descent you can see the meadow where the tub is. there's a lovely pond about twenty yards behind it. don't forget to dip in there.

Make sure that when you get down to the first junction, you go to the right, which will take you down to more signage, where you just look for the blaney sign. the trail empties out at the river and there's another camp ground across it––crossing it is either a cinch, like last season, or it's up to your thighs in spots and fast.

Once you get across and into the camp ground, you need to go to the right––look for signs of travel––it's kind of a bushwack over a few boulders and if you step into a mushy meadow, you're on the right track––follow the fence line out about fifty yards and there it is.

here. watch this video and the tub is in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dMYFCTJ-M



the tub is square about 8x8 and maybe four-five feet deep and should you hit it in the morning, it'll be clear and clean with some good hot spots for your feet.

if you're not in a super hurry, take your pack across the river and camp there. enjoy the tub and the stars, BUT BE CAREFUL TO HAVE A GOOD HEADLAMP WITH YOU for the trip in the dark.

the other option is to get out there, soak for a few, and then spend another hour or so and get up to Piute junction for the night.

Sadly, I have never come across a crowd of lovely hiker girls there (or boys) and you will most likely have it to yourself––just you, the dragon flies and a lovely view. Any more questions––see ya out there in August.

Timing is everything. I led a trailcrew based out of this area two years ago, and the river was a raging inferno for most of the summer, absolutely uncrossable until late summer/fall. This year, which is a bit above average, is likely to be somewhat the same. I'd try to get some local knowledge, prior. If you are talking about June, no way. Later in the summer might go.

Oh yah.... definately worth the stop!

And I also agree with the "timing" thing. Last time I was there, the San Joaquin was crossable... but a little scarey for me (it was almost to my waist); I probably wouldn't have tried it but I met up with a couple other hikers who were also re-supplying at MTR and we went over together. Fun!! I talked to a hiker who went thru the area only a couple weeks earlier, and it was definately NOT crossable.

I got in to MTR later in the day, so ended up camping in the MTR area on the trail side of the river... nice spots but there was too much traffic. I think I'll do what Bob suggested this summer.

So, in answser to your question on it being a mud bath vs. hot spring.... when I first saw it I was a little nervous about it - the water looked black, so I assumed it was muddy, but it wasn't bad at all... and it felt wonderful. Honestly, if I ran across it any other time I probably wouldn't have gone in... it's amazing how things change when we're up in the mountains .

Thanks for the video and directions- looks like a good plan! I was planning to stay overnight at Marie Lakes, so I'll try to visit there the next day for a soak. I'm sure I'll need it...

Thanks, that's good to know. I'll be there in mid-Aug. so hopefully the water level will be down.

Happy travels....