In early July 2016, two of us made our way to Red's Meadow for an "in & out" trip to Iva Bell Hot Springs via the Fish Creek Trail. This easy going trail descends into the Cascade Valley and is covered in wildflowers. The view from the hot springs is as majestic as it gets, and the pools are pretty nice as well. Since it was the middle of summer, the bugs - flies mostly - were moderately annoying, and the days were plenty hot, but overall the in & out trip to Iva Bell was fairy easy and very enjoyable.
The trail starts off by passing through a tree cemetery from the 1992 "Rainbow Fire"
Colorful basalt formations spring from the Earth
A granite valley follows as the trail descends
The trail winds through a thick fern field
Majestic green hillsides with granite slabs at their bases pave the way into the Cascade Valley
The view into the valley
Looking even farther into the valley
The High Sierra is quite a sight to see
Now looking east towards Iva Bell Hot Springs
Iva Bell alas... the best view I've seen from a hot spring yet!
Arguably the best ponder point too
As well as best campsite
The High Sierra gourmet was present -- Mountain Mansion if you will
The sunset featured the layers of mountains surrounding the valley
On the way out we came across a newly fallen tree
Climbing back out of the valley -- with Iva Bell in the distance
Returning to Red's Meadow through the tree stump forest
The one-way stats "In" on the In & Out trip