Sears Spring

Cassia County, Idaho · Near Burley
42.2400°N, 113.5880°W · 5,300 ft
84°F 5,300 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (4.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Sears Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Sears Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Sears Spring, in Cassia County, is a warm spring about 23 miles from Burley. Tepid is the word, mid eighties in 1975, so warm enough to notice and not much more. The record carries no owner and no access status for it, and no flow figure. No photograph either.

Location

Call it a hundred and twenty yards of walking, starting at a road nobody put a name to. The elevation runs fairly high. For mountain country the snow is light, three feet or so across a winter, and precipitation stays under a foot and a half.

For camping, the record points to Independence Lakes Campground, under five miles away. The coldest months are listed as the best ones, January first. Nothing is recorded about who owns the land, so do not treat it as public until you have checked. The water sample is fifty years old, and the temperature came from that same visit.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Sears Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
204 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
143 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 91% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
36°
Mar
43°
Apr
54°
May
65°
Jun
75°
Jul
74°
Aug
63°
Sep
48°
Oct
36°
Nov
25°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.8 in Annual Snow: 37.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 25°F · Water 84°F · +59° contrast
December Air 25°F · Water 84°F · +59° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 84°F · +57° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Today 76° Low 50° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +8° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 55° Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers 17% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 48° Chance Light Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 35% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Friday 72° Low 46° Sunny 11% precip
Spring is +12° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 48° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1975-08-05

The water at Sears Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2).

pH 8.2 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 29 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 8 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 15 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 10 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 19 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Independence Lakes Campground 4.7 mi away

Independence Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a non-fee campground and picnic area where reservations are not required. There are 5 single sites.  This area is accessible for a season that varies usually between July through October. Sites are handicapped accessible. Campground amenities include 9 tables and grills, toilets, and livestock facilities. No drinking water or trash service is available. Nearby Independence Lakes Trail (#35) is 3.1 miles to the Lake. Only non-motorized travel is...

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,300 ft

Sears Spring sits at 5,300 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 21% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
84°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 84°F (29°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +36°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 376 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sears Spring?
Sears Spring has a water temperature of 84°F (29°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Sears Spring located?
Sears Spring is located in Cassia County, Idaho at 5,300 feet elevation, near Burley. Coordinates: 42.2400°N, 113.5880°W.
How do I get to Sears Spring?
Sears Spring has Short Walk road access (376 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Sears Spring?
Yes, Independence Lakes Campground is located nearby (4.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Sears Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS