4.2 miles of hiking • 250' elevation gain •
Wow! Another fascinating hike in this surprisingly active area. From the same PCT trailhead as Boiling Springs Lake, you can take the fork to aptly named Devil's Kitchen. We had barely started, then as we crossed a large meadow, we stopped in our tracks as we saw a large shape in the grass about 100 yards away. A cinnamon-colored black bear! It ambled slowly across the meadow, not even acknowledging us as we stood with our jaws open and adrenaline pumping. What a way to start a hike! Unbelievable feeling to have seen that bear. The trail continues through the woods for a bit at the far end of the meadow and up a slight incline until you come to more warning signs about staying on the trail. You drop into a creek canyon which is so massively different than any you've ever been in before. The water of Hot Springs creek flows cool and clear through red and yellow muddy alcoves that shoot mud and sulphur fumes. Steam vents from the ground all around and you kind of feel like you might have angered the gods in some way. No wonder it has this bizarre name. I can only imagine the Native American stories that must've centered on this crazy place.
