Whitehorse Ranch Hot Spring

This is one of my favorite soaks! The BLM calls it Willow Creek. It is the perfect stop from Boise to central Oregon if you are not in a hurry. A great Outback loop from Boise is to stop here, onto the Antelope refuge via Warner Valley (one of the top 10 most beautiful places on earth), the washboard road to Steens, a must see diversion up Steens Mountain, over to Alvord Desert, back up to Juntura (for Horseshoe HS) and back. There is some great mountain biking along the abandoned RR track bed along the Malheur River. I’m not a fan of Crane hot springs, but I have heard some good comments from people who like the funkier commercial spots.

The water here is never real hot. But it’s not tepid either. It is just right for all seasons except the windiest days in the winter.

As you can see, there is plenty of room to knock around and even a toilet structure that helps reduce the TP tuffs that are commonly found near backcountry soaks. It is a very clean, fun place. You can expect very low use during the week. The main road has plenty of aggregate to make it easily travelable, but I’d be prepared for some mud. Please don’t drive all the way up to the spring and rut it up if it is real wet after a rain.

N42.27558 W118.26531, 4544′ elev

Paulina Lake Hot Springs

Paulina HS is just another feature of the very amazing Newberry Crater area. There is actually a long strip of seeps on the NE corner of Paulina Lake. The photo was taken a few years ago and is typical of the pools that are made there. They are generally about a foot deep and will fit one or two people comfortably. Little Crater Campground from which one trail begins is usually quite busy. But, surprisingly enough, the HS are rarely occupied. The boaters all know there is a chance of seeing nudies. Whenever you go, it seems some boaters are likely to move in for a view.

It is an 8-mile hike around Paulina Lake. It is a very worthwhile hike. You can get refreshments at Paulina Lodge on the opposite side of the lake. There is so much to see in the area. Paulina Falls is the largest of three falls along the creek that leads from the lake. The Obsidian flow has some of the largest pieces of obsidian you are likely to see and a tremendous view of Paulina Lake and East Lake. You will be walking over a rather large obsidian flow if you approach the springs from the south. East Lake use to have a Lodge with a hot spring. The East Lake spring is usually under water now.

There is an epic mountain bike trail that goes around the entire rim. It’s 20+ miles and has some challenging but very spectacular spots. The highlight of the ride is Paulina Peak and its descent down to the lodge. You can also see Fort Rock, Mt. Laughlin, Mt. Scott, The Watchman, Mt Thielson, Mt Shasta (on a very clear day), the Three Sisters, Mt. Bachelor, Black Butte, Broken Top, Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, to name a few.

There is a back way in from the southeast. Plenty of ice caves in the area to see. There are several other HS within a couple of hours drive. Paulina HS really is not the highlight of the area, but well worth catching.

If you get into Bend, don’t forget to see the High Desert Museum, and grab a sandwich and some suds at the Deschutes Brewery (or Bend Brewery if the wait is too long).

There is a $5 fee to enjoy the Newberry Crater area, a GREAT buy!

It is accessible all year, usually May-November by car and XC skis in the winter (park at 10-mile).

N43.73210 W121.25232, 6327′

Vale Hot Springs

Formerly used for recreation, Vale HS is now used for agribusiness and direct heating. It is considered to have low commercial potential for power generation. There was a sanatorium and pool built at the site in 1910. The sanatorium closed in the 50’s and the pool closed in the 60’s. There is no longer any surface discharge. However, there is still quite a bit of below-surface discharge along the adjacent Malheur River causing bubbling and steam that can be seen on cold days. Wells in the area produce temperatures as high as 100F and it is used in some homes for heating. The Oregon Trail Mushroom Plant is the largest user, pumping approx 225 gpm.

Check out the murals and historical points of interest in Vale. The rooms in Vale are very cheap except during hunting season.

N43.98200 W117.23300, 2260′ elev

Ryegrass and Grely Bar Hot Springs

March is a good time to start making arrangements for a visit to Ryegrass ( N43.07160 W117.69732 , 3139′ elev) and Grely Bar ( N43.20950 W117.54340 , 2830′ elev) by arranging for a float trip down the lower Owyhee.

Opportunities may come and go quickly. You will also float by Echo Rock (aka Owyhee) hot springs on your way from Rome to Leslie Gulch.

Both of these springs are river left. There is a small camping area at Grely Bar and also one just downstream with an easy walk to Rygrass. The BLM limits stays at the hs to one night for each party. In April and May, you will find the soaking at its best with all the TLC they get from boaters. You may want to bring something to move water from the river up into Rygrass as it is a tad on the hot side.

It really is not practical to approach Grely Bar by land. The nearest road access only brings you to within a couple of miles with a river crossing required after climbing over boulders and poison ivy and loading up your socks (and the rest of your gear) with the various hoogies in the grass.

Ryegrass by land can be an interesting attraction for a multi-day visit of the Owyhee Canyonlands and lava flows. It is about a 4 mile hike down a few hundred feet descent. It is bouldered, but not all that bad to bushwhack. At least you will arrive on the correct side of the river. Park at Rygrass Creek crossing ( N43.03860 W117.74060 , 3570′ elev ). Start up Kiger Road just NE of Crooked Creek picnic area off US 95 to get there. Make the first right after the junction with Rome Rd and follow the direction of the Owyhee River. The loop around the Pillars of Rome (also worth seeing) is Rome Rd which tees to the west from the Pillars onto Kiger Road, as well. Do not attempt if there are any signs of mud or puddles. (You may very well get stuck – you will certainly rut the road leaving a bumpier road for those that follow). Also check out the lava tubes in the flows from Butler Butte to the NE. If you like scrambling around lava flows, consider Jordan Craters to the east of the Owyhee River. It is also possible to hike down to Echo Rock HS from a 4WD road N of Jordan Craters.

Sacajawea’s son Pomp is buried at Danner just off the old Idaho-Oregon-Nevada Road. He died inhaling too much dust on his way to look for gold in Idaho from his home in Southern California.

Crane Hot Springs and Malheur Wildlife Refuge

Crane Hot Springs is a commercial establishment offering hot springs soaks and a place to camp near the Malhuer Lake Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon. It looks kind of funky from the outside. It is literally in the middle of nowhere. It looks like they have been sprucing it up a bit lately. I think it would be a good place to make for a base if you wanted a camping hookup or use their cabins and/or soak. Not CO. It is very affordable (probably the most affordable in the area, given the amenities). I personally prefer the Frenchglen area. But if you want the easy access to a large hot pool overlooking the vast desert with overhead feathered visitors, this could be a good bet.

The nearby Malheur Lake Wildlife Refuge is an OUTSTANDING place for bird watching. The Migratory Bird Festival takes place the first full weekend in April. The Malhuer Lake Wildlife Refuge turned 100 in 2008. A number of historical sites are also nearby, such as Round Barn. The Frenchglen Hotel is on the list of National Historic Places. Diamond Craters is also pretty trippy. Yeah, you could hang out here for a couple days and not be bored. It’s roughly half way between Boise and Bend.

Crane Hot Springs is at N43.44100 W118.63800, 4120′ elev