Day 5: Mývatn Nature Baths/Jarðböðin

I bet you know someone who had a layover in Iceland and stopped for a visit to Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon.  You know it.... that famous milky blue hot pool just outside Reykjavik where tourists flock for a hot soak and Instagram worthy photos.  

The Blue Lagoon is after all Iceland's biggest tourist attraction.  

Everything I read about it made me want to stay far far away.  If you know me you know I sort of lose my shit around large crowds of humans.  Insane mobs and high prices lead us to the decision that IF we were going to spend money to soak in a hot pool we would wait until we reached the northern end of the island.  In Myvatn, Jarðböðin (the nature baths) are known as the "Little Blue Lagoon" and here, you can soak in a hot pool with fewer crowds and for a better deal, or so we thought. 

If you want to know which lagoon to go to, my quick answer is neither.  For me, this was another skippable tourist trap but in case you are interested in Iceland's "Little Blue Lagoon", read on and decide for yourself if it's worth your time and money.

Fifth Water / Diamond Fork Hot Springs

This hike has been on my list for over a year.  I have seen so many pictures of the milky blue, clear, and green pools at fifth water, and wanted to see the hot springs for myself (and do a little soaking of course).  Atleast once a month I would bring up the idea of this hike, but for one reason or another, it just never happened.  Too hot out, too cold out, ski weekend, a week away, hike to long, and the list goes on.  Life happens when we are busy making other plans.  Well, finally Amanda and I decided no more excuses.  We packed our bags, grabbed our dogs (dog friendly hike!), and headed south to Spanish Fork.