Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

66 BACKPACKER.COM

THESE STEAMY TUBS stacked under a

trio of waterfalls don’t just feel heavenly:

Minerals burbling up from the deep turn the

pools bright shades of cobalt, periwinkle, and

olive green, making them look pretty darn

heavenly, too.

Yo u r au naturel spa day is a n ea sy, 2.3-

mile (one-way) hike away. Start along Sixth

Water Creek; at mile 1.1, cross the bridge to

trace Fifth Water Creek into Diamond Fork

Canyon. Follow the smell of sulphur to the

soaking pools, which begin 1.3 miles past the

bridge. The underground hot springs mix

with the chilly cascades to fill a terraced

series of about a dozen pools, each augmented

by rock walls built by previous bathers. They

get hotter the farther upstream you go, so

choose accordingly.

Soak season Ye a r -r o u n d Trailhead Three

Forks (40.0845, -111.3551) Regs None

Contact http://www.fs.usda.gov/uwcnf

4. Mid- to late summer means berries (all kinds) across the Lower 48. Snack straight from the
   bush (after checking local regulations) or gather enough for a backcountry pie:
   
   
   1. Pack for a pie.Bring: two 10-inch f lour tortillas, two spoonfuls of jam (any f lavor), and oil.
      Extra credit: Pack a baggie with a small handful of powdered sugar and pinches of nutmeg
      and ground cardamom.
   
   
   2. Pick for a pie.Pluck 1 or 2 cups’ wor th of berries.
   
   
   3. Make a pie.Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. While it’s heating, spoon half of the
      jam into each tortilla. Add half the berries to each and roll into burritos. When the oil is
      sizzling, put the hand pies in the pan, fold facing down. Flip once so both sides are golden.
      Remove, coat with sugar mixture (if you went for it), indulge. –Zoe Gates
   
   
   
   

NO. 2

RELAX.

No. 3

SOAK IN

FIFTH

WATER HOT

SPRINGS.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache

National Forest, UT

Forage the sweetest fruit.

Looking

upcanyon from

Fifth Water Hot

Springs

Best
Summer
Ever

PHOTOS BY (FROM LEFT) DANA HALFERTY / TANDEMSTOCK.COM ; JOHN LLOYD

ANDERS WENNGREN