Arizona Hot Springs

Over the years we have been to Las Vegas many times. Even though we are not gamblers we find it interesting for a number of reasons. One of the big reasons is there is great hiking in the area. One of the most interesting hikes in the area is the “Arizona Hot Springs” located about an hours drive from the strip, across the Hoover Dam and over the Arizona State line. Any trip near the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead is always good, But this hike is spectacular. One of the best we have ever been on. Leaving early in the morning on an overcast day we arrived shortly at the dam and stopped briefly even though we have been there several times.

From Arizona Hot Springs

Water in Lake Mead seems to be down quite a bit from the high water mark on the rocks

From Arizona Hot Springs

Looking over the dam at Black Rock Canyon below and the Colorado River. Just a mile or two further down the river is where our hike is going to take us today.

From Arizona Hot Springs

A mile or two after crossing the dam is a small pull off on the west side of the road. Its easy to miss. There is room to park a couple of cars and the trail begins here.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The cameraman is packed up and ready for a new adventure.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The sign says it 2.8 miles to the Hot Springs. The river is about 2 miles from the road then south following the river for just under a mile. You can see the canyon and the river in the distance.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The trail is really a wash where heavy rains collect and run into the river.

From Arizona Hot Springs

Farther in it starts to become obvious that from time to time a lot of water runs down this little trail. If you read the sign at the beginning of the trail it said “area is susceptible to flash floods”. We definitely do not want to be in the this wash if it starts to rain hard! We are keeping a close eye on the clouds overhead.

From Arizona Hot Springs

As we get closer to the river the canyon walls get higher.

From Arizona Hot Springs

Check out the size of this rock washed downstream!

From Arizona Hot Springs

We have arrived at the river! Man look at the color of that water!

From Arizona Hot Springs

Following along the river for a while some beautiful vegetation surrounds the trail. These trees were so cool they required a pause and a photo session.

From Arizona Hot Springs

From Arizona Hot Springs

Farther down the river a scene presents itself that makes for one of the nicest photographs I have ever taken. To this day I use this photo for the desktop on my computer.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The water, sand and black rock are amazing!

From Arizona Hot Springs

Looking back upstream towards the dam.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The turn towards the Hot springs from the river is a bit hard to find, because there is not water running into the river. All the water seeps into the ground before it gets tot he river during this time of the year. A little way up the wash we come across this scene. We found it!

From Arizona Hot Springs

The water running over the water fall next to the stainless steal ladder is hot maybe 90 degrees just perfect for taking a shower. What an amazing natural resource. The ladder is wet and slippery, but it is the only way to get to the hot spring.

From Arizona Hot Springs

Working you way further up the cave like canyon you can see the first of several pools of hot water. People have used sand bags to dam up the water to create soaking pools.

From Arizona Hot Springs

The hot water is irresistible. Even though we did not bring a swimming suit!

From Arizona Hot Springs

From Arizona Hot Springs

After a quick soak we got dressed and continued up the wash exploring

Here and there along the walls of the deep wash are holes in the rocks where very hot water pour out of. The water is so hot that you will get burned if you touch it. It seeps into the gravel along the floor of the wash and runs towards the river. When there is a rock floor it collects into pools of clear hot water.

From Arizona Hot Springs

From Arizona Hot Springs

There is a series of 3 pools each a foot to 2 feet deep. Each of the pools gets hotter as you move higher in the canyon. All of them are crystal clear and inviting.

From Arizona Hot Springs

From Arizona Hot Springs

You just have to get in and play!

From Arizona Hot Springs

A natural hot water slide!

From Arizona Hot Springs

The gravel under your feet here is so hot it almost burns. To do this right you really need some sort of water shoes

From Arizona Hot Springs

More extremely hot water spurting out of the rocks, along with beautiful calcium formations.

From Arizona Hot Springs

You can see the steam rising from the hot water up the steep walls of the canyon.

From Arizona Hot Springs

After an hour or two of playing in the water we made our way back out to the river and started back towards the dam.

From Arizona Hot Springs

As we make our way along the bank a tour on the river passes us.

From Arizona Hot Springs

Looking back towards the wash leading to the hot springs the tour of people has landed. Looks like they are going up to the Hot springs. They will certainly enjoy it, and they didn’t even have to walk the 6 miles in and out!

From Arizona Hot Springs

A break at a scenic spot along the river provides the opportunity to use a small tripod and remote to take a picture. A little Photoshop work on this picture and it ultimately became part of the banner on our web site at Irishandscott.com

From Arizona Hot Springs

Even though the day was overcast and lighting was bad this hike provided some of the best photographs I have even taken. It also provided some of the best memories I’ve ever had.

Some days you just get lucky!