Spectacular surroundings is what you get here. With views of the Rocky Mountains and nearby Alces Lake you can enjoy the soak in a hot spring or you can go fishing in one of the best lakes in the region for rainbow trout. But after a day in the backcountry or on the lake, you will probably want to relax in the soothing waters of Lussier Hotsprings located near the park entrance at km 17.5 on the Whiteswan Forestry Road. Lussier Hot Springs is a 30 minute drive north of Skookumchuck and is open year around. But in the winter, there may be snow on the road, and more often very slippery conditions; all terrain vehicles should be used. Relax in the tubs knowing that there is an historical precedent for soaking here. In Ktunaxa Kinbasket Indian jargon, the name Skookumchuck means "meeting of good waters." The mineral water enters the first pool at a maximum temperature of 43°C (110°F), before gravity feeding down to the lower pools. The bottom pool alongside the Lussier river offers the coolest water, at about 34°C (94°F) in summer. The rock pools can accommodate several people at a time. They are popular during summer and tend to be crowded on weekends, except early in the morning. Clear your mind by bounding out of the higher pool into the frigid creek water!
Springs are defined as places where groundwater is discharged at a specific location. They vary dramatically as to the amount of water they discharge. Some of the water may have traveled great distances underground before resurfacing as a spring. Hot springs though are springs that have a water temperature that is above average. This could be anywhere from near air temperature up to the boiling point (100 degrees Celsius). Typically a hot spring is formed when water percolates into porous sedimentary rocks or fractured volcanic rocks. As it descends through the rock, it picks up a variety of minerals by dissolving them in the heated water. This includes things such as salts and sulphides. When the descending water finds an easy path back to the surface it will follow this path and become a hot spring. If it reaches the surface quickly it will still be very hot. If it takes a long time the water will have cooled before reaching the surface.
Many hot springs have a sulphur smell which is caused by anaerobic bacteria living deep beneath the Earth’s crust. The bacteria convert the dissolved sulphur in the water into Hydrogen Sulfide which has that “rotten eggs” smell that you may be familiar. If the hot springs do not have a sulphur smell it may be due to either the water not reaching sufficient depths or the water on its return to the surface is oxidized and loses its Hydrogen Sulphide.
The warm water also allows an abundance of algae and bacteria to live in it. You may also find other plant and animal life living near the hot springs that would not normally be found in the area.
As of November 18, 2006 to log this Earthcache:
You must post some unique bit of information regarding the site that you learn while there. Taking a water temperature measurement of the hot spring or pool is acceptable. Other possible information could be the size of the hotspring or the water flow rate. I'll leave it up to each cacher to decide what to post to show that they have learned something. I will monitor logs for appropriate information. Posting a photo is not required but appreciated. Unfortunately, any log that does not meet the requirements will be deleted. Thanks for visiting an Earthcache!