Salt Lake City: Fifth Water Hot Springs
Pack your swimsuit for this 5.4-mile round-trip canyon hike leading to a series of steaming, turquoise-blue hot pools and a cascading waterfall.
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Mapped by Chris Bartholomew
Trail Facts
- Distance: 4.4
Waypoints
FHS001
Location: 40.0822868347168, -111.36149597168
Head NE on Diamond Fork Rd. to trailhead (washed out by spring flooding in 2005); canyon walls rise on L, Diamond Fork River flows on R; maple and cottonwood canopy shades trail
FHS002
Location: 40.0850639343262, -111.354995727539
Turn R @ former trailhead (marked by large, crumpled mass of steel). Ford stream or cross on fallen logs, then head S to cattle gate next to privy
FHS003
Location: 40.0822257995606, -111.352699279785
Shady canyon trail winds E beside creek, passing several outcroppings; oak, juniper, and spruce cling to rocky slopes
FHS004
Location: 40.0828552246094, -111.346321105957
Wander NE along Sixth Water Creek; Oregon grapes flourish on creek’s N side
FHS005
Location: 40.0855255126953, -111.338836669922
Cross footbridge @ confluence of Fifth Water and Sixth Water Creeks; turn R @ 3-way to enter sulfur-scented canyon on R
FHS006
Location: 40.0835418701172, -111.333396911621
Meander E next to Fifth Water Creek (minerals from hot springs turn creek a milky blue); mossy rocks freckle ground
FHS007
Location: 40.0832862854004, -111.329223632812
Continue E on path cut through undergrowth, popular hangout for mule deer and cattle
FHS008
Location: 40.0824317932129, -111.325019836426
Hot springs await around next few bends; sulfur smell gets stronger
FHS009
Location: 40.0829010009766, -111.322120666504
Pass several camping spots tucked under trees; trail curves NE
FHS010
Location: 40.0829658508301, -111.318901062012
Fifth Water Hot Springs: Soak in multiple, turquoise 100° F pools on R side of trail (open year-round); 20-ft. waterfall pours over ledges into pools; retrace route
Hot Springs
Location: 40.0832824707031, -111.319793701172
©Chris Bartholomew
Footbridge
Location: 40.0855674743652, -111.338722229004
©Chris Bartholomew
Canyon Views
Location: 40.0823287963867, -111.351806640625
©Chris Bartholomew
Three Forks Trailhead
Location: 40.0849342346191, -111.354919433594
©Chris Bartholomew
Upper Pools
Location: 40.0832672119141, -111.318977355957
©Chris Bartholomew
The Falls
Location: 40.0835952758789, -111.317802429199
©Chris Bartholomew
Waterfall
Location: 40.0829429626465, -111.318000793457
©Chris Bartholomew
