I love hiking and the Goldstrike Hot Springs have been on my Vegas bucket list for a while now.
I would recommend:
* long sleeved shirt to avoid sunburn
* long pants like cargo or yoga to avoid scratches on your legs
* a fresh pair of socks ( no way to avoid getting your feet wet near the river so be prepared with a dry pair once you make your way back)
* light snacks like fruit and veggies
* a hat- some parts there is full shade and some parts full sun.
* lots of water. I actually didn't even finish my 16oz, but it is best to be prepared.
* bringing a bag to help keep the area clean. I picked up plenty of trash that others had left behind
My two friends and I walked at a very brisk pace and I burned 590 calories the way to the river and 690 calories on the way back. The easy part is just sliding down the rocks- yay to gravity. The hard part is making your way back UP those big rocks. The ropes did help, but try and stay with a group of other people so you can help each other. Even my two friends and I had trouble with upper body strength-pulling ourselves up the big smooth rocks and thankfully there were others around to give us boosts when we needed it. The hike is very challenging, but rewarding at the end with the view of the Colorado River. We did stop and play in one of the hot springs which was like jacuzzi hot. Very nice to sit in and enjoy the scenery around you.
Give it a try, be prepared and go when it is cool weather. Stay smart and enjoy all that this hike offers.