Hiking Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs
Wasatch Front
Overview
Tue 46 | 29 |
Wed 36 | 31 |
Thu 38 | 24 |
Fri 37 | 26 |
Sat 41 | 25 |
View Full Weather Details |
Tue 46 | 29 |
Wed 36 | 31 |
Thu 38 | 24 |
Fri 37 | 26 |
Sat 41 | 25 |
View Full Weather Details |
Diamond Fork Hot Spring, or Fifth Water Hot Spring, as it is also known by is a great outing in the Wasatch Front. Access requires a 2.5 mile hike each way, but the reward is a fabulous natural hot spring in a very forested and beautiful setting. Temperatures of the pools can range up to 108 F, with several great soaking pools in a variety of cooler temps. The upper pools are the hottest.
Diamond Fork Hot Spring is a prime choice for a winter excursion. The trail is usually well packed, but ice gripping treads can be useful. Snowshoes are only needed right after a heavy snow before the trail has been packed down by traffic.
Getting There
From Spanish Fork, take Highway 6 to mile marker 184.1 (about 11 miles from Spanish Fork) Here, go north on the paved/signed road Diamond Fork. Follow this road 10 miles to the trailhead on the right. The trailhead is well signed and easy to find. In the winter, this road can be snow packed and require a 4-wheel drive, but under most conditions, it is accessible to all. The trailhead has a pit toilet and map but does not allow camping.
Route
From the trailhead, follow the well-marked and well-traveled trail as it meanders up the left-hand side of the stream. About 1/2 way to the falls, the trail crosses a bridge over the stream and begins its final ascent up the smaller Fifth Creek.
You will likely smell the sulfur from the hot springs before you see them. There are several small pools built in the area of the springs. All have different temperatures. The lower ones are cooler while the ones right below the falls are the hottest. There are also some just above the falls.
Diamond Fork is a popular place to visit, especially on weekends.
Trailhead |
12T 469733mE 4437208mN N40° 05' 05" W111° 21' 18" |
Hot Springs |
12T 472871mE 4437005mN N40° 04' 58" W111° 19' 06" |