Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

70 BACKPACKER.COM

LIKE YOUR SWIMMING HOLES with a tropica l f lavor?

Hidden in the lush folds of nor thea st Kaua i, the double-

decker Makaleha cascade tumbles through a blocky stone

cha nnel decked with electric-g reen ferns. Better yet is the

per fectly invigorating pool (wa ist-deep to well overhead,

depending on recent rains). Paradise, found.

It ’s no ca kewa lk to get there: Squeeze 2.6 miles through a

dense, tough-to-navigate bamboo forest on an easy-to-lose

tra il, spla sh across Ma ka leha Strea m a ha ndful of times,

and deal with epic mud along the way. The jungle opens up at

the conf luence of t wo creeks, revea ling views of severa l ca s-

cades pouring off an emerald cliff face. Follow the northern

dra inage to reach the fa lls. High water ma kes the route ha z-

a rdous, so avoid this one during a nd a f ter heav y ra ins.

Swim season Ye a r -r o u n d Trailhead Makaleha Falls

(22.1023, -159.3854) Regs None Contact bit.do/kealia-

forest-reserve

No. 14

CLAIM BEAR CREEK HOT SPRINGS.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID

AT MANY HOT SPRINGS in the Rockies, cha nces a re good you’ll be

sha ring your soa k with a neighbor or three. Not so at this quiet pool deep

in the Caribou Range, where the long hike in, numerous stream cross-

ings, a nd a br uta l f ina l climb keep the ma sses away. That leaves this bus-

size hot springs to those made of sterner stuff.

To get there, follow Bear Creek 6.5 miles into the woods, crossing the

stream at least a dozen times along the way (the water drops to about

knee height in midsummer) a nd watching for moose a nd elk. The la st

mile climbs about 700 feet up along Warm Springs Creek into a grassy

clea ring in the Dougla s f ir forest where your tub awa its. Cla im a nea rby

established campsite and soak the evening away.

Soak season Mid-July to September Trailhead Bea r Creek (43.2761,

-111.2324) Regs None Contact http://www.fs.usda.gov/ctnf

Makaleha Falls tumbles

into a swimming hole.

Best
Summer
Ever

No. 13

COOL OFF IN

MAKALEHA

FALLS.

Kealia Forest Reserve, HI