Crater Creek Trail to Fish Creek
8.7 mi
Distance
4 hrs 45 min
Time
terrain
1,388 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail in Ansel Adams Wilderness. It is one of several possible trails to the popular Iva Bell hot springs. The hot springs are further 4 miles along the Fish Creek. The entire out and back trip to the hot springs is 24.5 miles with 3,800 ft total elevation gain and approximately same elevation loss.
Getting Started
Starting from the Rainbow Falls parking lot. Parking space is pretty large; pit toilet, food lockers and trash. The parking lot is part of the Devil's Postpile National Monument area with a fee booth on entrance.
Rate this Hike
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We made this as a first leg of a backpacking trip to the Iva Bell hotsprings. From the Rainbow Falls trailhead all the way down to the valley floor. As soon as the final descent brings down to the Fish Creek, there is a lot of flat relatively open space that works great for making camp. From that location, another 4 miles along the Fish Creek Trail will bring to the hot springs area. The pools take some time to find them, there are use trails that run in the general direction of the pools. Moving up the slope one gets from one pool to the next but not necessarily in a straight line. The pools are warm; some are cleaner than others; they also vary by the quality of the bottom material. It is heavenly to soak in the warm relaxing water and gaze into the vast valley under the deep blue sky. The official trails are well marked and cross many streams. On a sunny dry day in late September, the trail was quite dusty to trod.The Iva Bell hotsprings area seems to be popular - there were at least 3 camping parties and more passing through.
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