Warm Springs Creek Trail to Bull Trout Lake

On Sunday, September 14, 2008, June Heise and I drove to Bull Trout Lake. We paid for Camp Site #32 for two days and pitched our Coleman tent. We then put our bikes inside the tent for safe keeping and drove 15 miles back down Highway 21 to Warm Springs Creek Trail head. We parked our car, pulled out our 25# backpacks and prepared to hike the Warm Springs Creek trail up to Bull Trout Lake. As we were about to leave, we met two elk hunters on motorcycles. When we told them what we were planning to do, they said, "You've got to be kidding. Bull Trout Lake is 20 miles uphill from here." And they proceeded to show us on the map. I thought the trail was 8 miles. But, we were already committed with our bikes already stashed at Bull Trout Lake, so we started the climb. Sure enough, at the one mile junction, the sign said, "Bull Trout Lake 13 miles.

My original plan was to find and enjoy the hot springs at the campsite 2.5 miles from the trail head. We found it okay, but it was across the river and the current was very strong. With the help of hiking poles and June's advice, I made it across. Unfortunately, the Hot Springs was truly hot and I could not divert enough cold water into the pool to make it comfortable.

Since we now had 10 more miles to hike to Bull Trout Lake, we decided to move on. The elk hunters said there was another great camp site just another mile further. We hiked until 7:00 p.m. with no sign of a camp site, so we created one near a stream crossing at 5400' elevation.

Weather conditions were wonderful, the scenery was wonderful and the Fall colors were just beginning the brighten the mountainsides.
The hiking was very pleasant with easy ups and downs alongside the Warm Springs Creek.

About noon we crossed the Creek on a sturdy plank bridge. On the other side we came upon an old hunters camp. We ate lunch and tried to take a nap, but the flies and ants found us right away.

As the trail continued along Warm Springs Creek, smaller streams flowing across our path, gave rise to many huckleberry bushes. We were like goats, browsing our way along. They were very delicious, but after awhile I was full. June just couldn't get enough.

We finally reached the "big grunt" where the trail ascended an incredible 1,000 ft. in 1.5 miles. I began to doubt my sanity in choosing the take the trail following the stream up instead of down. Be that as it may, the only way out of this situation was UP.

We finally reached the top and were grateful to be back in the trees and out of the hot sun. About two miles later, we meandered into our Camp Site #32, arriving 9.5 hours after leaving our camp site that morning.

Tuesday, September 16, we awoke in a very cold tent. After breakfast, we donned our day packs, boarded our bikes and set off for the car. The first part of the trip was two miles on a gravel road, fairly level. The second part was a two mile climb up Banner Summit. We were all decked out for cold weather, but half way up the hill, we shed to our basics. The next 13 miles were basically downhill at a 6% grade. It was a glorious sensation, flying through the trees with no effort except to keep our balance around the curves. Needless to say, I was freezing. Finally, I stopped and put my warm clothes back on. When we arrived at the Warm Springs junction, we were ready to shed again. Another two miles on a gravel road and "Walla" there was the car.

We decided to call our adventure a "Hike and Bike." We are now trying to find more trails that we can hike up and ride our bikes down. It sure makes a one way trip more interesting and easier than hiking back over the same trail. Besides, it was a blast!

We followed our usual tradition of stopping at Kirkham Hot Springs for a warm water massage coming right out of the mountain, an ice cream cone at Horseshoe Bend and a delicious steak dinner that Al had waiting for us. What a guy!

Just for the record, we backpacked 18 miles with a 1500' elevation gain and biked 19 miles with the same amount of elevation lost. Way to go you too old broads!