Fifth Water Hot Springs, also called Diamond Fork Hot Springs, is an awesome hiking experience. And although the hot springs are amazing, it isn’t just about the destination. The hike to the springs is gorgeous!
My hike started at a trailhead off Diamond Fork Rd, which is east of Spanish Fork Utah off U.S. Rt 6. The trail followed Sixth Water Creek for about a mile through a small canyon. Views along the trail were very nice.
The trail crossed bridge over the creek and then followed Fifth Water Creek to the springs. The trail gained elevation fairly consistently and wasn’t steep except for a few very short sections. In other words, the 2.5 mile hike to the hot springs was fairly easy!
I started around an hour before sunrise so I could see the morning light bring out the amazing color of the creek and pools at the springs. It wasn’t long after crossing the bridge that I began to smell the odor that is consistent with hot springs. I also heard the sound of rushing water along the way, which told me the creek had many small waterfalls and rapids along the way.
I turned off my headlamp around 15 minutes before seeing the milky blue color of the creek. That meant I was getting pretty close. The first sign of the springs was a small waterfall with a small pool below. I walked over to the pool and felt the water. It was warm, but not hot.
As I walked up the creek many pools and waterfalls appeared I explored below and above the main pools, which are right below a 20 foot waterfall, before getting into the water. The area was absolutely gorgeous! The water varied in color from milky to blue to green and light steam was rising all over the place.
I got to an area that was obviously above where the hot water came out of the ground. The water was cold and clear. I walked back down to the top pool and got into the water. With my feet I could feel very hot water rising from the bottom of the pool in several places. After soaking in the very warm water for a while I waded down the creek through pools to other places to enjoy the water of the hot springs.
I explored and soaked in the hot springs for about 90 minutes before deciding to head back down the trail. The sun was up and I could clearly see the trail and the creeks it followed all the way back to the trailhead. I got more images along the way. Above is the hike along Sixth Water Creek.
Below are images along Fifth Water Creek.
This hike was a fun one because I could scout the trail and springs. Part of the reason for doing this was because I really want to do this trail in the winter! Want to visit Fifth Water Hot Springs? Click HERE for a map.
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