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Bagby Hot Springs hike 10-24-06

Posted by Jane (2006-10-25)
Elev.: about 2000'
Lat. and Long: 44.936 N, 122.173 W
our hike today : about 5-6 miles RT
Bull of the Woods Wilderness: Forest Pass required.
 
A last  minute finding out of a free day Tuesday,  even with rain forecasted everywhere, wanted to get out somewhere. Mary Ann was open to go someplace also, and we finally decided to try  Bagby Hot Springs.
She had never been there, and I wanted to explore further on the trail  beyond the soaking tub area.   And, the recent criminal from there was caught - we hoped for the best... 
 
Directions:
From Portland , take the Estacada/Hwy 224 exit (#12 I think?)  from I- 205. Drive east about 3.2 miles where 212/211 and 224 split. Veer right on 224 , continuing on to Estacada. Stay straight on 224 and continue about 25 miles to where it ends at its junction with forest roads 57 and 46 (shortly past Ripple Brook Ranger Station).. Bear right onto Forest Road 46, go 3.6 miles. Watch for sign on left side of road, turning right on Forest Road 63, go 3.5 miles,  then turn right onto Forest Road 70 (see another sign for Bagby). Drive about 6 more miles, trail head parking will be on the left. About 75 miles from SE Portland.  
Forest Pass required, no fee for tub use.
 
There was only one other car there when we arrived around 11:00 a.m. We were dressed for downpour , but the rain was light and  we headed up the trail.  Lots of big old growth Douglas, Cedars and more (Old Grandpa trees I fondly call them) and a lovely creek along this trail.  Alot of yellow interspersed with the lush green today
 
the drive there:
Autumn Colors
 
the trail to the hot springs:
 
Trail Bridge
 
 
.
The bathhouse/tubs and locked ranger buildings are about a mile and half from the TH, only one person there, but we wanted to do some more hiking first. We continued on the trail, which is pretty straight and very easy, gradual climb. We saw several great campsites, many well away from the trail and spacious.
We crossed two small streams, one with a little waterfall. 
 
Natural Waterfall on Trail past Bagby Hot Springs
 
 
 The trail was wonderfully maintained, thanks to the recent hard work of these guys! :)
 
 
 
After this  1 to 1 1/2 mile further exploration, we decided to turn around and head back to soak and warm up. Only 3 others in  the tub area when we were, but by the time we left, around 3-3:30 , more and more were coming up the trail - and, we even had a break in the rain - great timing!  Although, we hit several torrential  "squalls" on the way home (thanks for driving Mary Ann!)
 
Entrance to Bagby Hot Springs
 
picnic area near hot tubs
Picnic Area at Bagby Hot Springs
 
hot tub structure
 
 
Hot Tub Area
 
Hot Springs Tubs
 
 
Private Tub
 
 If you want more info on the soaking tubs and the history of this area, check out Paul Geralds description in his "60 Hikes within 60 miles of Portland" book,  or this link with info and photos from Friends of Bagby:
 
 
It was a great little getaway, I love this area and didn't want to be be detered by the recent crimes - a rainy mid-week day turned out safe and wonderful for us! (all above photos courtesy of Mary Ann)

Re: Bagby Hot Springs hike 10-24-06

Posted by Martell (2006-10-26)
Just added this and the Ramona Falls hike to the Hike Finder, thanks for adding that trip data.

On a side note, the pictures in this trip report and the other one do not work in Firefox 2.0.  Possibly because of a security issue from the way images on this site are named (end in .aspx).  Edit: Weird, somehow portlandhikers.com was in my block images list.  I don't remember doing that so it must be a button click in the new version.


Re: Bagby Hot Springs hike 10-24-06

Posted by Mary Ann (2006-10-26)

Thanks for writing this up, Jane; and being the tour guide.  Looks good.  It would be nice to have this big hot soaking tubs available after every hike. 

 

Mary Ann

Re: Bagby Hot Springs hike 10-24-06

Posted by Wayne Kraft (2006-10-28)
I think it was 1957 the first time I hiked to Bagby Hot Springs. I was about six years old and I hiked in with my parents and their friends, a fun group of young adults who were then about half my present age. I think the trail may have been a bit longer then and I don't recall there were many people there. The facilities were much the same as they are today. So I have happy memories of this place.

Therefore, it pains me greatly to say that I don't consider this place safe. The little boy who hiked to Bagby in 1957 grew up and got a job that entailed, in part, reading thousands of police crime reports over more than 20 years. The reports of drunkeness, drug use, violence, gun play, sexual predation of children and even homicide relating to Bagby Hot Springs layered on year after year have caused the place to associate in my mind, among the fond memories, feelings of pain, sorrow and anger. There seems always to be a "recent criminal from there." I haven't been there since the early 70's and, personally, I doubt I'll ever go back.

If you must visit Bagby, please be alert and very careful. Watch out for drug and alcohol impaired drivers on the approach roads. Carefully observe any strangers you might meet there. Don't let your children out of your sight for a second. If you find loud and/or abusive people there, don't confront them. Just fade away. Never let your guard down.

Visiting off season improves your odds of a safe visit, but watch the weather. Among the sadder of my Bagby memories is one of a family of three (mom, dad and baby) who made a wrong turn on a snowy road, got stuck and tried to walk out. Mom did not survive.

If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I'd do
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the wars
and make it 10 miles to Bagby, with a creek ford or two.

My apologies to the good people at Friends of Bagby for sounding this negative note and to 3 Dog Night for stealing their lyrics.

Wayne Kraft

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