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Copyright © 2022 by Glenn Woodsworth & David Woodsworth

Updates, access changes, & news

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Hot Spring

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June 23, 2020


After a good long run the 3rd edition is now out of print (aka: sold out).  Glenn and David are working on the next edition, though that's still several years away.  In the meantime we'd like to thank everyone who picked up a copy and helped make it a success


April 5, 2020

Pebble Creek (Keyhole)

Note that under normal circumstances (i.e.: no COVID-19) these springs are closed to the public from April 1st - November 15th, due to increased wildlife - visitor interaction


March 1, 2020

Meager Creek & Pebble Creek (Keyhole)

The Fraser Basin Council public opinion survey has been extended until March 15, 2020. Have your say at https://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Hot_Springs_Survey.html .


February 4, 2020

Radium

Parks Canada has temporarily closed the pools after an inspection following minor renovations uncovered structural defects. The pools will remain closed until repairs can be made


January 10, 2020

Meager Creek & Pebble Creek (Keyhole)

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development working with the Lil'wat Nation on a Visitor Use Management Strategy for these springs, to address issues & concerns and work together to identify objectives for future recreation management. With recent changing access (i.e. new roads), they've seen a relative increase in visitation despite closures.

The Fraser Basin Council has launched a public online survey for this project: https://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Hot_Springs_Survey.html . We urge anyone who would like to provide input on the future access and management of these springs to participate. The survey will close on February 28, 2020


October 20, 2019


Godlin (Ekwi)

Recent reports are that the springs have been obliterated "via a nasty landslide"


April 8, 2018

Snippaker Creek

A series of recent low-level winter overflights of the area revealed no sign of the springs. At last report they were apparently cooling and decreasing in volume; it's possible that they've cooled enough to match the ambient ground water temperature


March 22, 2018

Weewanie

Here are four pictures of Weewanie Hot Springs; full size versions are on the "North Coast" page, courtesy of Klaus Urbantke

















































March 15, 2018

Shearwater

Klaus Urbantke also sent us a few pictures of Shearwater Hot Springs, which can be seen on the "North Coast" page

























February 28, 2018


Eucott Bay

Reader Klaus Urbantke recently shared several pictures of Eucott Bay springs with us, full size version of which can be viewed on the “Central Coast” page





































May 11, 2017


Pebble Creek
(Keyhole)

According to a posting on the Recreation Sites and Trails BC Facebook page, the Pebble Creek Hot Springs trail is once again closed indefinitely, “due to the presence of at least four aggressive bears in the hot springs area.”

The posting goes on to say that “food and garbage frequently left at the hot springs has taught these bears to obtain food from humans. These bears now directly associate food with people, are behaving aggressively, and are obtaining food from tents, and backpacks. In this type of situation bear attacks are very likely. Help us ensure your safety and the survival of these bears and do not enter the area.”


March 19, 2017


Hot Springs Cove

CBC News reports that the Ahousat First Nation has signed a 10-year agreement with BC Parks to take over management of Maquinna Provincial Park. Two guardians from Ahousat will be stationed there during the summer, greeting visitors, performing maintenance duties, and collecting user fees. In the long term, plans call for adding a small campground, day spa, and food service.


January 11, 2017


Liard River


The trail to the Beta pool is permanently closed, and all Beta pool structures, including the boardwalk, have been removed.  This picture was taken during a visit in 2008.


January 2, 2017


Pebble Creek
(Keyhole)

The most recent update from the Upper Lillooet Hydro Project is that the Lillooet River trail is open, but that the route is covered in snow and ice with multiple avalanche paths along the trial.  There is also only limited snow clearing along the access road.


September 14, 2016


Klekane Inlet

BC Parks reports that the damaged roof over the bathhouse has been replaced by Park Rangers.


July 19, 2016


Hotspring Island
(Haida Gwaii)

According to a Government of Canada announcement, Parks Canada will be spending a total of $655,000 to build two new pools to capture the new locations of the thermal water and to recreate the hot springs experience that was lost in the 2012 earthquake. An updated Bathhouse will also be built, and 900 metres of boardwalk on the island will be replaced as part of the project.


June 23, 2016


Pebble Creek
(Keyhole)

The Provincial Government’s “Recreation Sites and Trails BC” Facebook page has posted a public safety notice, stating that the Pebble Creek Hot Springs trail is closed “due to the presence of numerous food-conditioned and aggressive black bears. There has been a confirmed report that a sow black bear with four cubs has charged 2 people. This is a very dangerous situation and the bears in the area are acting aggressively. There is a high probability that continued use of the area will result in an attack. The public must respect this closure or we may be forced to destroy this bear”.

Anyone who ignores the closure could be issued a $115 fine.


June 3, 2016


Olympic

According to an article by the Peninsula Daily News, the road leading up to the hot springs is closed at the Madison Falls (Elwha) gate due to a washout about 1 mile in, resulting in an 8 mile (13 km) hike up to the old trail head.  While closed to vehicles, there is a bypass in place allowing hikers, cyclists, and horses to access the road.  Note that bikes aren’t allowed on the trail past the old parking area.


November 1, 2015


Pebble Creek
(Keyhole)

With the ongoing construction of the Upper Lillooet Hydro Project by Innergex Renewable Energy, the old trail to the hot springs has been closed permanently. A new trail, the Liĺwatátkwa7 (Lillooet River) Trail, is now in place. Here are the new access instructions, as of fall 2015. This trip is best when the river levels are low.

From the traffic lights and gas station on Highway 99 just before Pemberton, turn left and drive through Pemberton and up the Pemberton Valley. About 25 km from the junction and gas station, take a right at a sign for Gold Bridge. The road soon crosses the Lillooet River; shortly after the pavement ends. About 7.8 km from the Lillooet River bridge, take the left (lower) fork (the right fork is the Hurley River road). There is a gate just after this junction, generally locked from late fall until springs.

Watch for logging trucks and other industrial traffic on this road, and use headlights. Just after the 37 km sign you enter the hydro construction zone. Stop at the checkpoint booth and sign in (mandatory, no hassles). Shortly after the 42 km sign, there is a small parking area on the right (signposted). Park here.

Cross the road and follow flagging and signs through the active construction zone. The trail drops over the bank, then heads down and upriver to the flats near the river bank. Follow the red markers upriver. It's generally easy to follow; the only place you might have trouble is at one point where you might be tempted to follow the riverbank, but stairs on the right lead up and slightly back. Follow the stairs! From the top of the stairs it's another 10 minutes or so to a new footbridge across Truckwash Creek. In another 5 - 10 minutes the trail reaches a large camping area. A sign says that the maintained trail ends here. To reach the springs, continue on the open bench above the river, passing several more camping areas. Eventually the trail drops down to the sandbars on the river; walk a short distance upriver to to the pools.

This new trail is longer than the old; the company's notice board claims it's about 1.2 km to the first camping area, but with twists and turns, the distance to the hot springs is closer to 2.0 km. Allow about an hour from the parking lot to the springs and about the same on the way out.


September 28, 2015


Meager Creek

The South Lillooet forest service road is washed out at South Creek, according to a BC Government backroads report. An entertaining 1st-hand account, written by a Varsity Outdoors Club member who was working on the Harrison Hut trail at the time of the washout, indicates that there are actually several washouts. Until the road is repaired, it's an extra 23 km walk to the trail head.


August 31, 2015

Ram Creek

A report on SoakersForum indicates that the road to the springs has been deactivated from both the Premier Lake side and from Top of the World / Lussier.  It sounds as if the road is now impassable to bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles and the like.  It's now a couple of kilometres of rough hiking to get to the springs.  The good news is that the pools at the springs are intact.


July 25, 2015

Tsek
(Skookumchuck, St. Agnes' Well)

The In-SHUCK-ch Nation has an interesting new website with information on rates, facilities, history, and events related to these springs. It’s worth checking out.


July 12, 2015

Klekane Inlet

BC Park Rangers carried out repairs in late June to the cracks between the cinder blocks of the bath house pool and got the hot water running again into the bath house. Rangers also found roof damage caused by a fallen tree. The fallen tree was removed but the roof will need to be repaired on a future work trip.


July 11, 2015

Shearwater
(Europa Bay)

Contrary to what we reported last year on this site, the roof is not collapsed or damaged; it is just fine.


March 30, 2015

Klekane Inlet

BC Parks reports that hot water is no longer flowing into the bathhouse. It is unclear whether the pipe is plugged, or if it has become disconnected at the source, or if there is some other problem.


March 25, 2015

Bishop Bay

On March 15, 2015 BC Parks carried out repairs to the dock at these hot springs. However, the ramp between shore and the dock was broken in two parts and could not be repaired on site. The ramp was removed and taken to Prince Rupert for repairs or replacement. It is unknown when the ramp will be put back in place. Therefore, be prepared to row ashore from the dock to get to the hot springs.


January 9, 2015

Hot Springs Cove

According to the operator of a whale watching company, the springs are back to normal today. The source measured about 50°C, pretty close to what it normally is. Either the original report was incorrect, or the cool temperatures were a short-lived reaction to the January 7th earthquake.  See reports from the CBC and hashiltha.com.


January 8, 2015

Hot Springs Cove

First Nations report that the hot spring at Hot Springs Cove is running cold after the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Tofino yesterday.  Here’s hoping the hot water returns soon. See www.hashilthsa.com/news/2015-01-08/hot-springs-run-ice-cold-after-west-coast-quake for details and first-hand reports.


December 31, 2014

Gamma

Sulphur

The Suiattle River road, which has been closed for 11 years because of washouts, is finally open to its end. See www.wta.org/signpost/hooray-the-suiattle-road-is-finally-open?searchterm=suiattle+river+trail for details. It should now be easy to search for Sulphur hot springs, but Gamma hot springs on Glacier Peak is still a long, wilderness trip.


December 30, 2014

Olympic

According to the National Parks Service web site www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/current-road-conditions.htm the Elwha River road is now open! The trail from the parking lot to the springs is reportedly in good condition. This means that a trip to Olympic hot springs is now feasible as a  day trip by the “original” access route (snow and weather permitting).


October 30, 2014

Sheemahant

According to a reliable source, the airstrip at the mouth of the Sheemahant River is now overgrown, though float planes can still land on Owikeno Lake at the old logging camp.  The road to the springs is still good for walking.  The large bridge across the Sheemahant is in good condition, but the bridge across a side creek between there and the springs is washed out, and the creek crossing is not easy.  There are no usable soaking tubs or pools, but the water is as hot as ever.


August 23, 2014

Dewar Creek

According to a recent report on bivouac.com, the road is now open the the very end and the parking area for the Dewar Creek trail.  In the last few kilometres, there are two creeks to ford; one may require 4 wheel drive.


August 17, 2014

Meager Creek

The route described in the new book is now in excellent condition.  From the parking spot described on page 37, follow the trail through the timber.  There is an excellent view of the 2010 Mount Meager landslide along the way.  After a long climb, you reach the old logging road; this is about 5 km from the trail head.  Follow the road until it forks.  The left (straight ahead) branch follows a new trail to the Harrison Hut, well above timberline, a long, tough hike.  Instead, take the right switchback down and follow roads to the springs.  Time is probably about 4 hours.  We will post more details when we have done the hike.


August 17, 2014

Shearwater
(Europa Bay)

The roof on the bath house has apparently collapsed.  No word on when it will be rebuilt.


August 17, 2014


It’s here!  Yes, the new book is out and arriving in stores right now!  At 304 pages, it’s packed with plenty of new full-colour pictures, revised maps, completely updated access instructions, and refreshed spring descriptions.  In fact, we’ve completely rewritten and updated every single spring in book.  Also new in this edition are nearly a dozen new springs, GPS coordinates (to help make finding those elusive springs even easier), web links, and far more information than ever before on “northern” springs.


May 18, 2014


We’re very excited to announce that the new 3rd edition has been sent to the printers, and will be landing on shelves soon.  It’s a completely new book: every spring has been revised and updated, we’ve added more pictures (and they’re all in colour), updated the layout, and added a new co-author.  We can’t wait to see it in print, and would like to thank everyone who helped with this project!  Here’s a teaser preview of the cover: