Pebble/Keyhole Hotspring

[trevor_n_jane]

Oh sweet beauty and fun. June 30, had a great time getting down and up from these springs, well worth the experience on its own. Lower pool not flooded but drain broken so it would not fill. My family (2 and 4 year old included) made the climb in and out, an hour each way, and met people coming out who got lost on the way down but we didn't have any trouble keeping to the path. Beautiful algae growth, cascading pools, and blooming snap dragons, this is definitely a new favourite. Bugs were non-existent (which was a nice change from the Meager campground - black/horse flies and mosquitoes galore)

Exclaimer: Not all parents will enjoy this. If the idea of having your children hike down a serious elevation drop, rappelling rock faces, sheer look outs, and soaking pools that fall directly into rapids (lost my flip-flop in the blink of an eye and had to walk out bare foot... soft ground though) makes you the teensiest bit nervous, stick to Meager, pay your $5 and double check that you packed a swim suit because it’s getting a little commercial.

[Bulldozer]

Sounds like a great time was had by all. Thanx for the up-date.
Yeah those bugs at the campground can be a little more than pesky. I hate to do it but I bring a bug bomb spray,(last resort) nothing worse than being constantly knawd on. I find the little "No See Ums" the worst, they are so tiny and bite so hard, I'm sure they sit and chew. Finding a campsite that offers a constant breeze helps. Also doing what a fello camper calls a "Swath" did seem to help. Claims he learnt it from an indian. Build a good fire and using green foliage stand in the heavy smoke from the green leafs burning. Says it coats your clothing/yourself with a scent.
Worst bug attack I had was on the trail out of Pebble, once I worked up a sweat it was a battle zone. BIG black flys, kill ten in one swat.

WOW 2 and 4 year olds... Thats brave. Sometimes I feel like I need to be carried out of that trail.

Thanx again for the up-date.

[Graymatter]

Trevor and Jane wrote

Lower pool not flooded but drain broken so it would not fill

Can you describe what is needed to fix the lower pool? Might be coming there in August and can try a fix unless someone beats me to it.

Graymatter

[trevor_n_jane]

The valve is missing from the drain (about a 2" drain pipe). If you had a cloth to plug it (or even one of those large tub drain plugs) you could make a quick fix. We tried with a rock and sand but the sand just kept washing through.

[Bulldozer]

I also tried several times to plug the holes. It seemed to me that the walls actually have severe cracks and the mortar had shrunk after drying to the point that the mortar was not attached to one or more of the rocks. If you look around you may find a towel that someone forgot or a shirt etc... This would plug the hole well if you shred the material an stuff it in.

[Sanne Lambert]

Wow! You've got some little hikers there! I've not taken my son, because it is quite challenging!!! How 'bout that upper spring, Bulldozer?? Anyone?? Any luck finding it?

[Bulldozer]

I have not found it as yet, but I've out of commission as late. Still re:couping from broken ribs, 2 or 3 weeks away from hiking I think. I would like to locate that upper most pool, looked very inviting. More so if the sun has been shining hot like it has been.

[Grecy]

Can I just get a quick clarification on directions... do we just follow what is in hs of western canada or is there an easier way these days? I saw somone mention km 43.5 - is that from the meager turnoff or somewhere else?

I'll be around that area in about 2 weeks if anyone wants to meet up and hunt for the upper pool...

-Dan

[trevor_n_jane]

"Instead of heading left across the Lilloet River to Meager Creek, continue strait ahead up the Lillooet River valley. In 1.5km you cross Pebble Creek. In another 1.4km the main road drops down to the river; stay left on the road. For the next 1.3 to 1.9km, the road is cut into a steep bank beside the Lillooet River, and washouts are a good possibility. When you've gone 5.4km from Meager Creek junction, park on a flat stretch about 0.5km before the road begins to climb steeply uphill away from the creek."

I never quite understood this portion, stay on the main road and at about 6km you'll come to a creek that runs over the road, drive through the creek, up the steep, curving hill, and park to the left at the crest. A well marked trail will take you down to the campground and the river. Travel up stream a couple of hundred feet to the hotsprings.

[Bulldozer]

Trevor_n_Jane,
Have you found a trail that parallels the river at this lower section or are you walking up the steep road and water crossing.

[trevor_n_jane]

We actually drove through the creek and up the steep hill (we thought the trail was farther up the road or we would have parked at the creek and walked up), we didn't find the trail that parallels the river. Is it better going? I found the drop from upper parking area kind of fun and very scenic but if there's a better way I'll try it next time.

[Grecy]

Does anyone bother with placid and no good springs?
I'm going to be in the meager area and I love to find all the springs I can, even when the soaking options are nill.

It sounds like if I walk upstream from Meager I should find Placid without too too much trouble.

No good on the other hand, does anyone have any solid landmarks to locate it (more than 'about 5km upstream') ?

thanks everyone,

-Dan

[Bulldozer]

Trevor_n_Jane, I read into your post that YOU had found another route. I think I see now what your saying. I've camped back before the final climb and searched for another trail and never found a better way than the steep trail from the small parking area. Although, when you first start on the usual trail, about 2 or 3 hundred feet in from your parked car...I see a faint,very faint trail intersecting from the left. Never did backtrack that trail, could be just a animal trail. Also followed another faint trail from the lower campsite, down river until it faded into the thick brush.
In Jim McDonalds original book (1978ish) He pegged it(Pebble H/s.) at 3klm from the mouth of the Meager creek. I thought that's easy, 3 klm hike up river, worst scramble I'd ever attempted. Cut, bruised and drenched from head to toe but I'll always remember those dayz.
Ohh and parking at the creek crossing would not be a good idea "IF" the pumice trucks are running. Not near enough room for them to navigate the corner with out doing some damage to your vehicle. I think that is why the pull out at the trailhead was developed, gets other vehicles off the main road. I didn't see the pumice trucks running in June this year, wonder what's up with that?

[trevor_n_jane]

Good call on not parking at the creek. On thinking back, I do recall the grader had been through there recently when we arrived, as we had to drive over quite a fresh ridge to get into the parking area.

[newmindseye]

Camped at Pebble Creek campsite on Thanksgiving long weekend. A soak was the pefect remedy for the -4 degree evening. Autumn was out in full colours. The lower pool was holding water so it seems the leak has been fixed.