Iva Bell Hot Springs hike from Devil's Postpile National Monument, using Fish Creek Trail from Rainbow Falls Trailhead is about 12 mile one way, usually backpacking with one or two night camping.
Permits for Fish Creek AA14 must be obtained online or at Inyo Forest Service Visitor Centers upto 6 months in advance. If ordered online, must be picked up latest by 9 am on the day of the hike at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. (recreation.gov/entranceDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72203&entranceId=315396)

The road to Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile is closed in winter. Backpackers visiting in winter must be prepared to ski, snow shoe or hike into the Reds Meadow Valley. Usually from the last week of June, vehicles can enter at night and be parked at the trailhead. However, during daytime hours one must park at the Adventure Center and take a paid shuttle bus (ca 30 min).

Mountain elevations in this area traditionally have ice and snow until late June or early July.

Fish Creek trail follows the general route of an old wagon trail. Starting near Reds Meadow Resort shuttle stop # 10 or the Rainbow Falls trailhead shuttle stop #8 the trail passes multiple junctions with the John Muir, Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls trails. The Fish Creek trail follows Crater Creek to the Fish Creek Valley. Beyond Iva Bell Hot Springs, the trail goes to Cascade Valley and eventually connects to the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails near Purple Lake or Tully Hole.
This is an active bear area; check food storage maps on the USFS Webpage for where you must use bear resistant food containers to secure food and trash. fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20502&actid=51

If done as a sidetrip from the John Muir Trail near Reds Meadow, it is about 12 miles to Iva Bell with a drop of 1,500 ft and then a climb of 1,000. To rejoin JMT after the Springs, continue about 5 miles and climb 2,700 ft. The first section south of the JMT on Fish Creek Trail can be exposed and hot and passes thru a burn area. Total mileage is similar to staying on the JMT, but there is more elevation change.

There are at least 6 well maintained pools, and several others, created by visitors over the years to enjoy the water from the many hot sources on the slope at the end of the valley. Best way to find the Springs is to notice warmer runoff as it crosses Fish Creek Trail.
Do not camp right next to a hot spring pool.

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Details

Informations

Distance 19.5 km

Uphill 490 m

Downhill 620 m

Weather

Monday 10 November

19°C

7°C

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Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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Location: Madera County, California, United States

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Iva Bell Hot Springs ⛲ backpacking hike from Devil's Postpile National Monument, via Rainbow Falls and Fish Creek Trail

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