Iva Bell HS (aka Fish Creek)

Category: Hot Springs-soakable

GPS GeoCoords
Reds Meadow Trailhead: 37.620014,-119.076657
Fish Creek Trail Stop below the pools of Iva Bell: 37.533258,-119.024093

This is a strenuous 13 mile hike from Red Meadow near the Devil's Posthole, but the hike is so worth it to be sitting at the end of a Yosemite-esque valley and having your choice of 8 or so 100+F rock soaking pools from numerous springs peppering the side of the valley.

The two best pools can't be seen from the campground, but they are just 150 yards to the east. The most popular soaker is behind a large rock ledge. It and a less sandy-bottomed pool, located 90 feet down a path and through a meadow, are lukewarm. For four more pools, follow another trail heading east from the first soaker; go 150 feet to a little campsite. From there a steep 100-yard-long path will take you to the other sites, the temperatures of which range from mild to hot.

From Mammoth Lakes, head west on Highway 203 to its end, then follow signs to Devil's Postpile National Monument and Red's Meadow Campground. However, on summer days, you'll need to catch a shuttle that starts at Mammoth Mountain Inn, because cars are prohibited past Minaret Pass. From the trailhead at the end of the road at Red's, the hike is five miles to Cold Creek, then another seven miles (about six hours) to the Iva Bell camp area, where the pools are located.

For those seriously interested in making this trip, I have a GPX file of the route available (Email Me)