Do your research beforehand and use good judgment based on the present crowd and local tradition. However, skinny-dipping is covered by a city or state’s public indecency laws. Nearly all backcountry swimming holes are unregulated, meaning neither a lifeguard or your Aunt Theresa will be there to wag a finger (or help you if things go wrong). It’s rarely smart to cliff jump into an unfamiliar swimming hole-no matter how much beer’s at stake. Back flips might look cool, but concussions don’t earn you any extra style points. Hit the water feet first, pencil-straight with your arms above your head. Station a spotter below to warn other swimmers and alert you to obstacles. Leave anything over 30 to 40 feet to the pros. Start with leaps from much shorter heights and work your way up. The minimum recommended water depth for cliff jumping is 12 feet. “If you can’t see the bottom of the pool or access the base of the water without jumping, it’s best not to,” she says. Bulford recommends figuring out the water depth, cliff angle, and below-surface topography before jumping. Regardless of height, scout the landing for safety. How high can I safely cliff jump?īecause fear-vomiting into a pristine water hole is frowned upon by most, understand your limits. As on any alpine mission, check the weather before you go, and plan to be off the mountain by noon to avoid thunderstorms. Ranger Bulford also warns against overdoing the dip: Hypothermia is always a risk. Feel free to jump in, but access the water via durable surfaces and make sure you’re sunscreen-free. Ost lakes above treeline are glacier-fed, making them pristine, crystal-clear, and extremely cold. Any measurement over 800 cubic feet per second is typically too dangerous for your inner tube. Before setting out, check the flow rate online at the USGS Current Water Data website. Find a map and get local advice on easy put-ins and take-outs. Instead, look for pools with calmer water upstream of shallow sections. According to Sarah Bulford, a park ranger in British Columbia, rivers are so hard to read, it’s rarely safe to swim across. On many rivers, an innocuous surface can hide deadly undercurrents. If you must wear sunscreen, opt for an eco-friendly or biodegradable brand.Īlready wearing the harsher stuff? Move at least 200 feet away from the water source and use biodegradable soap and water to remove it. Consider wearing SPF-rated protective clothing for sun protection instead. “Bug repellents contain some of the most harmful chemicals to a fragile water ecosystem,” she says. Georgianne Moore, you should avoid scented lotions, bug sprays or sunscreens. The further you are from human activity, the more fragile the ecosystem. To avoid chafing on the hike out, consider packing extra clothes and a lightweight, fast-drying towel. Wear or pack shoes to swim in-submerged rocks and debris can cut unprotected feet. What should I bring?Ĭhoose quick-drying, performance fabrics like polyester or nylon. Look along the fall line where the mountain meet the foothills. – If an epic natural water slide is what you’re after, the Appalachian region has quite a few. (Use caution, though: Some have old mining equipment in them. Although quarries are man-made, they pay tribute to the mining of the region’s past and are often deep enough for ambitious cannonballs. – Throughout the Great Plains and Midwest, look for water-filled quarries and springs. And oftentimes, a pool can be found at the base. A tightly packed group of u-shaped contour lines intersected by a river may indicate the presence of a waterfall. Grab a topo map and trace a river or creek to where it intersects contour lines on the map. In the Rocky Mountains, annual snowmelt feeds alpine lakes, and dramatic elevation changes mean stunning waterfalls. – Geothermal activity makes the Great Basin one of the best regions to find a hot spring. In the nearby Sierra Nevada, glacial activity has carved hundreds of unique and pristine alpine lakes. – The Coastal Range is stocked with waterfalls and tidal pools, thanks to tectonic and volcanic activity from millions of years ago. Understanding your regional geography will help you know just what to look for in the area. Natural swimming holes can be found all across the country. If you’re looking for an epic summer activity beyond your neighborhood pool, it’s time to hit the trail. Where can I find the best swimming holes? Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+
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