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 Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
11093 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 12:30 AM
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On the Road Again 
Chapter Six....
Leaving Watson Lake, our next destination is Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, where we'll plan on setting up camp. It's an interesting drive through the Liard River Valley, with the river to distract us, and buffalo roaming free....
 
Some pics of the Cranberry Rapids on the Liard River
 
The rain fell as we neared the park, more rain this July than the last three summers, according to one of the park rangers. No problem for these guys, though
 
The park is a very serious bear zone, so you have to pay close attention. The boardwalk to the springs closes at 10 pm. Smart idea, as when I walked the trail the following morning the grass beside the walkway had been flattened by sleeping and browsing bears. The rangers set off bear bangers to drive them off frequently.....
The springs create a unique micro-climate, because of the minerals and higher temperatures they cause. Plant growth is lush, and rare fish swim in the surrounding flood ponds. It is truly a magical place, and , though popular, not horribly crowded.....
  
The plant life is totally different from the neighbouring forests
 
These fish can survive unusually high temperatures, and can be found in any pond
   
Some more scenes along the trail to the pools...
  
Alpha Pool is a constant 49 degrees, wish I was there right now
   
Beta Pool, 3m deep and used far less, tops out at 39 degrees. Both have changing areas and pit toilets....
  
The Hanging Gardens, while not in bloom, were still a beautiful sight.
   
The rains subsided , and we spent lots of time in the pools and exploring the trails, while our towels dried by the campfire. Too bad for our dog- he was not allowed to swim in the pools, but the water was to hot for him anyway....
Whatever you do, don't miss this stop if you visit the North Country 
Our next stop, a trip through the Northern Rockies, Muncho Lake, and Stone Mountain Provincial Park..... |
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Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Canada
225 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 09:07 AM
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Very nice adventure you are on, I have been enjoying the read. Those hot pools look so inviting, looking forward to more!
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Never consider your task too insurmountable. Remember, even the highest summit is obtained one step at a time. |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
THE GREAT OUTSIDE
Canada
5616 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 09:54 AM
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| Those are some serious pools! Puts our local Harrison area kiddie pools to shame. |
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 | Q
Senior Member
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 chocolate lovin, Bailey's slurpin, cold feet hatin', veggie eatin', true Cancerian water lovin', CT smilin', boulder dodgin', nosummitosis survivor
1578 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 10:23 AM
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Wow. That is stunning. Where exactly is it?
Let's hope they don't let a hotel chain buy all the rights for it!!
Are the buffalo not dangerous? Do they just roam around freely or is there and enclosure of some sort? (Is that a really silly question?)
Did you have to hike very far to the springs?
Thanks for sharing. I would love to explore more of the north.
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Buntzen roving stealthy beer mule and artist, aspiring weird image findmaster who loves BC
lower mainland
Canada
1647 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 10:41 AM
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| I like how you've broken it down into installments Mick; too much to talk about in one report. Muncho Lake was one of my favorite areas to drive through, looking forward to that part of the story. |
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N. Vancouver, BC
Canada
393 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 12:03 PM
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Nice! Great photos as usual. The pools look pretty good.
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What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? - Gandhi |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
11093 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 1:52 PM
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Thanks all
Q, the buffalo do roam free, the usual cautions apply, but they don't get that near the park.
Liard Hot Springs is on the Alaska Hwy just south of Watson Lake, and well north of Fort Nelson.
From the campground the walk in is a km or two, I think... |
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Anchorage, Alaska
USA
1340 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 7:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Q
Wow. That is stunning. Where exactly is it?
Let's hope they don't let a hotel chain buy all the rights for it!!
It's right at the arrow here. 210km from Watson Lake which is marked with a star. They'll never build a hotel chain there. If you go there, you'll understand why. It's in lonesome country, far away from everything.
Those pictures bring back bittersweet memories...
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I'm on holidays! |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
11093 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2005 : 8:26 PM
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| Thanks for posting the map... |
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| Q
Senior Member
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chocolate lovin, Bailey's slurpin, cold feet hatin', veggie eatin', true Cancerian water lovin', CT smilin', boulder dodgin', nosummitosis survivor
1578 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 01:11 AM
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| Cool. Thanks. It does look like the middle of nowhere. Nice nowhere though!! |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
439 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 8:23 PM
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Cool, Mick. The springs were definitely one of the top highlights of our trip up there too. Thanks for the report and photos.
Notice nobody is in this end of the pool! That was the hot end (very hot), as I remember it. |
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Grouse Grinding, GPS carrying, lawn chair packing, bike riding North Shore tech addict who stares at Crown Mountain from his office window all day
North Vancouver
Canada
1857 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 8:30 PM
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Mmmm hot springs...  Looks like you had great hot-spring weather too! Keep those reports coming Mick, very nice! |
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Anchorage, Alaska
USA
1340 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 8:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Shakey
Cool, Mick. The springs were definitely one of the top highlights of our trip up there too. Thanks for the report and photos.
Notice nobody is in this end of the pool! That was the hot end (very hot), as I remember it.
That would be right. Anout 10 feet behind the photographer and to the left, is a little 2' dropoff, and the pool widens a bit as it snakes around to the right... perfect temperature there in my opinion, like about 38C. But you go too far down and the water's too cool, not to mention nasty from all the other bathers...
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I'm on holidays! |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
11093 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 8:34 PM
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Shakey, I made it my quest to get all the way over to the outlet source, and damn, was it hot!! Temps into the 50s where the water sources feed into the pool. Totally refreshing, it was
That'd be this section, NorthernAlberta My kids spent most of their time in here |
Edited by - mick range on 08/15/2005 8:37 PM |
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Back busted, pumpkin carvin, toyota drivin, wacky hair canvas painter that likes a cold Beer on a subzero day
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
1077 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 06:45 AM
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Thanks Mick, I sure enjoy seeing pictures and reading about places that are so far away and I have yet to travel to.
Temps. Into the 50’s Wow! I can barely handle a hot tub at 42!
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| Paulo
Intermediate Member
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
735 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 08:15 AM
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| Thanks for posting this TR Mick. I was there in Aug '98 and your pictures bring back some good memories ... especially the micro climate you walk through on the way to the pools. Paulo |
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Liard River Hot Springs Prov. Park
