STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Wood River Land Trust is launching a $16 million campaign to permanently protect the Hailey Hot Springs Ranch, also known as the Democrat Hot Springs Ranch, west of Hailey in Croy Creek Canyon.

The acquisition of the 2,700 acres would preserve wetlands and other habitat for wildlife, ensure public access to hiking and biking trails that have been threatened in the past and create an uninterrupted 6.6 miles of continuous trails expanding the Hailey Greenway from Colorado Gulch to the saddle of Democrat Gulch.

Acquisition would also keep residential development out of the 360 acres that is zoned for residential development.

Pronghorn climb a hillside.

“When the property went on the market this summer, community members worried about what would happen to this iconic canyon they’ve enjoyed hiking and biking in for years,” said Wood River Land Trust Director Amy Trujillo. “Previous owners have tried to block access or propose developments there, and the future of the property has been on everyone’s minds. This property has been one of our top conservation priorities over the years, and after many different attempts to protect it, we have an opportunity now to acquire the property to benefit our entire community. “

The $16 million includes $15 million for land acquisition and $1 million for long-term stewardship of the property. So far, more than $8.3 million has been committed since late November 2024, including government funding, funds on hand and early commitments provided before the campaign’s launch.

That is “an incredible start demonstrating the community’s commitment,” said Wood River Land Trust Executive Director Amy Trujillo. But time is of the essence as the campaign needs to get to $10 million in commitments by a due diligence deadline on Feb. 11, 2025.

“If we can do that, then we’ll have until Dec. 31, 2025, to raise the rest of the funds,” said Trujillo.

The Lamb’s Gulch trail in Democrat Gulch includes picturesque rock outcroppings, creeks and tons of lupine in spring.

The Land Trust will officially announce the campaign tonight at its “Think Globally, Act Locally” lecture being held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Ketchum’s Community Library. The speaker will be renowned conservationist Dr. Gary Tabor, who will explain how preserving landscapes and intact ecosystems supports nature’s resilience in the face of changing climate. (Reserve a space at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/12936434. Or, watch the livestream or a recording at https://vimeo.com/event/4813215).

Protecting Hailey Hot Springs Ranch is an example of protecting a critically important natural area as it would create nearly 3,000 acres of contiguous public open space stretching from Colorado Gulch to Democrat Gulch where sage grouse, sandhill crane, elk, mule deer and pronghorn move freely. The area features nine miles of riparian habitat and wetlands, in addition to hot springs, winter range and sage grouse habitat, and it has connections to thousands of acres of public lands beyond.

JoAnn Grant, managing director for Heart of the Rockies Initiative, said her organization has identified Hailey Hot Springs Ranch as a priority initiative due to its extraordinary conservation values.

“This property is vital for maintaining connectivity across large landscapes and supporting critical migration routes, sage grouse habitat and riparian ecosystems,” she said. “Its geothermal springs, irrigated pastures and Democrat Creek further elevate its ecological significance.”

This view looks across to the hillside that hosts the popular Two Dog trail above Democrat Gulch Road.

Tess O’Sullivan, The Nature Conservancy Idaho’s Land & Water Protection program manager, agreed.

“Science tells us that Hailey Hot Springs Ranch is a climate-resilient landscape and its proximity to Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, where The Nature Conservancy and WRLT have partnered with the University of Idaho to protect 10,000 acres of key habitat, make it a smart place to invest,” she said. “This property offers wildlife the best chance to adapt to a changing climate, and we’re enthusiastically helping to secure federal funding to ensure its permanent protection through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant.”

In addition to providing a home for wildlife for centuries, the area has been a popular recreation area it was developed as a hot springs resort in the early 1880s. More recently, hikers and bicyclists have flocked to the Lamb’s Gulch Trail, climbed hillsides to wallow in vast fields of lupine and arrowleaf balsamroot, biked Democrat Gulch Road to access Two Dog and other mountain biking trails and walked dogs out the road as snow melted away in spring.

Recreation could be enhanced if the area is preserved. Partners envision the potential for:

The “For Sale” sign went up in the summer of 2024.

+ A separated bike path along Croy Canyon Road from downtown Hailey through the property to hiking and biking trails in Croy Canyon.

+ Permanent access to existing trails and public lands which have, on occasion, been closed off in the past.

+ Creating an uninterrupted 6.6-mile trail from Colorado Gulch to the saddle of Democrat Gulch, extending the Hailey Greenway.

+ Providing conservation research and learning opportunities for area students alongside University of Idaho scientists.

+ Providing afterschool programs and innovative outdoor education programs to help local youth discover their connection to nature.

+ Possibly restoring access to the hot springs.

“Hailey Hot Springs Ranch has long been loved by community members who regularly hike and bike on the property and on public lands around it,” said Mark Davidson, executive director of the Blaine County Recreation District. “This campaign focuses on acquiring the land, but once our community acquires it, the BCRD looks forward to working with the Land Trust to support additional benefits, including safe biking paths out Croy Canyon, trail connections, and hopefully restoring public access to the hot springs-- all things that will enrich our community for generations.”

The area could also become a living laboratory  and extension of University of Idaho operations on the nearby Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

“What we could learn here will inform conservation practices across the region, specifically, how we can better manage recreation and the impacts on wildlife in a growing region,” said Dennis Becker, University  of Idaho’s Dean of the College of Natural Resources.

Roland Wolfram, the Land Trust’s board chair, said the campaign represents an investment in the valley’s future to protect an extraordinary place and preserve it for generations to come.

“We are deeply grateful to our early supporters, who understand the urgency and transformative power of this project,” he said. “To achieve the $16 million goal, it’s going to take our whole community. We’re asking everyone to consider supporting this effort to ensure that future generations will inherit a valley as beautiful and wild as the one we cherish today.”

To learn more or make a donation, visit https://www.woodriverlandtrust.org/land-conservation/hailey-hot-springs-ranch. Or, contact Meg Pulliam at meg@woodriverlandtrust.org or 208-788-3945, extension 123.

The Wood River Land Trust has protected a vast array of preserves for public recreation and wildlife. Among them: Howard Preserve, Draper Preserve, Box Car Bend, Colorado Gulch Preserve and the Simon-Bauer Preserve.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING…

Those who venture far enough out Democrat Gulch Road can see the remainders of mining operations conducted in the area.

The Hailey Hot Springs Ranch was the site of the famed Hailey Hot Springs Hotel. Developed in the early 1880s as Idaho’s first real summer resort, its features included a hotel with a pavilion, ballroom, parlor, dining room, billiard room, tenpin alley and bath rooms. Outside were three lakes for outside swimming and bathing, the cultivation of trout and boating.  

The mineral waters were identical to such celebrated hot sulphur springs as Avor in New York State, the White Springs of Virginia and the Bagneres of the Pyrenees. Sadly, the resort burned down in 1899. Only the women’s plunge was saved—and that by spreading wet bathing suits on the end of the roof.

To learn more, read John W. Lundin’s account of Hailey Hot Springs Resort at https://eyeonsunvalley.com/Story_Reader/12416/Even-Wet-Bathing-Suits-Could-Not-Save-the-Hailey-Hot-Springs-Hotel/.