Hot And Wet

Figured I might increase the number of hits from google with that title.

Fifteen years ago(or so) I was shown a place affectionately referred to as “Nudie Springs”.  A 45 minute drive to the Diamond Fork turnoff in Spanish Fork Canyon, followed by a short trail.  The attraction is a waterfall surrounded by hot springs trickling in from the banks of the river.  Over the years people have created little pools where the hot runs into the cold creating little hot tubs.  Back then there were two problems.  Finding a Goldilocks pool(just right).  And acting cool when hairy, naked, hippie chicks were sitting in them.

I made the trip several times over the years, but hadn’t been there in probably ten when we headed down Saturday night.  I was expecting a good turnout for this ride and was surprised when nobody met at the shop to carpool down.  I called Ben and Paul who were meeting us down there and caught a ride with them.  On the way down, Kerry Thurgood called to see if I was interested in a night ride and I talked him into joining us down there.  At the Fifth Water parking area, I was stunned to see dozens of cars.  Back when I used to come here, there were only ever a handful of cars and  no more than 15 people at any given time in the pools.

The light was fading fast as we unloaded the bikes and fired up the lights.  The Bills,Pizza and Retro, were waiting for us at the trailhead and Kerry had beaten us there and already started riding.  The trail has changed a little too.  Years of heavy traffic have turned it into 8-10 ft wide freeway of a trail.  As we started cranking up, we met a lot of oncoming traffic.  I would have thought this meant fewer people up at the springs.  I was wrong.

As you approach the springs, the smell of sulfur is overwhelming.  Just when it gets a little too strong, your there.  And what we found was easily 75 people maybe 100.  Between the running water and all the people it becomes noisy. Bodies crammed into every slow moving puddle around.  Families, hippie troupes, singles wards, and high school kids.  I have never seen that many people in the area, let alone at the springs. We peeled down to our swimming attire, mine being  the triathlon shorts I purchased a couple years ago but have never even pulled on.  They’re tight in case your wondering.  Kerry and Brad bugged out pretty quick so Kerry wouldn’t have to explain to the Mrs if Brad saw any naughty bits.  The Bills, Nate, Paul, Ben and myself settled in for a nice soak.

I guess they’ll have to change the name of them.   No naked hippies in sight.  Unless you count Pauls shameless outfit changes getting in and out it was a PG  night all around.  For about twenty minutes, a few groups left and we had one pool all to ourselves, but once the zoobies who were honoring their curfew left, the UVU crowd showed up and it was crowded again.

We headed back down just before midnight, and the crowds were getting bigger, not smaller.  The trail was butthole to bellybutton all the way down.  We took it slow and just rolled down.

The night was definitely more about the destination than the ride, the round trip only came to around five miles.  Maybe that accounts for the low turnout, but it was totally worth getting home a 1:30 smelling like rotten eggs.