What to expect: Laughing Waters Spa is a small, shallow swimming area with a waterfall you can stand under to get a good natural massage.
Nearby swimming holes: Downstream on the other side of the bridge is a deeper swimming hole most visitors to the area seem to prefer. If you find the area with the extremely large rock pile just west of this place, and travel down the very bumpy road behind it, you’ll get to a small swimming hole that is popular with family groups. If you cross the bridge and go approximately eight miles down the dirt road, at the green gate turn right. Keep left and you’ll find a swimming hole with a waterfall that looks like paradise. We call that one the Green Gate.
Where to find it: You’ll find Laughing Waters Spa in the South Fork of Indian Creek, near the bridge. Travel north from Happy Camp, California on Indian Creek Road, approximately seven miles. Turn left onto South Fork Road. When you see the fork in the road, go left. Just before you get to the bridge there’s a parking area on the right side of the road. The trail starts there. Take good shoes because there’s a steep downhill drop-off. A rope might help - you could tie it to a tree near the top and use it to get down safely and to pull yourself back up.
When: I was there on June 28, 2009, but I’ve been there many times before.
-
- Laughing Waters Spa
-
- South Fork Bridge
-
- Tiny trees growing on a rock next to the water.
My observations while there: I’m sitting on a rock that juts out into the South Fork of Indian Creek, my feet trailing into the water, the current lapping at my toes. Just upstream, Laughting Waters Spa erupts in a billion frothy white bubbles as the creek surges over and around long established craggy boulders.
Besides bubbles in the spa, you’ll find fish and water-rounded boulders, small enough to sit on or place your feet on as you struggle to the head of the spa where the little waterfalls dance. Right now - June 28, 2009, the water’s current is very strong, and I wasn’t able to reach the rock that juts up between them. Yes, I’m strong — but not that strong. My male companion was able to do it with a bit of brave struggle.
Around the sides of the creek are grasses, small river willows, and trees. The sunshine is palpable and cheery with the song of the water’s cascading leaps, crashing together to provide a charming harmony juxtaposed against the buzzing of insects that inhabit this wild space.
Once we found a snake here on the rocks next to the spa but today he was nowhere around, for which I was grateful. I think my friend is more fond of them than I am.
The sun glints off the water as the scent of nature’s harmony reaches into my inmost being - a stunning collection of algae, fish, and freshly grown grasses and tiny trees and bushes that attempt to grow in the cracks of the rock on which I sit. Bob patiently sits in the river on a rock, drinking in the sunshine and glory of this life-abundant place, and I prepare to go get my camera to take a few more photos before we’re forced to retreat to our cabin of a home in the hills.
What to take with you: Goggles to look at the fish in the pool beyond the bubbles, a stick to help you keep your balance as you’re walking on the wet boulders toward the waterfall, a camera, comfy chairs, sun tan lotion, a rope for hill climbing, drinking water, a towel, and a sense of adventure.
Any gold there? Though this is on a New 49er’s claim, prospectors can leave their pans at home. We’ve tried and tried and tried to find gold in this area and are hard pressed to find even a solitary flake. Looks like someone else got here first!
Is this for children? Probably not. I’d take them to the family swimming hole near the rock pile instead. Getting down the hill to Laughing Waters Spa is quite a struggle, and the current there is swift.
Prepare for: Bliss.
About the name: I named this place Laughing Waters Spa because of the millions of frothy bubbles and the great natural massage. It is quite a treat!
