Halcyon Hot Springs Earthcache EarthCache
Halcyon Hot Springs Earthcache
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Halcyon Hot Springs is located on Highway 23, 32 kms north of Nakusp and 68 kms south of Revelstoke . If you are coming from Revelstoke you will enjoy a spectacular free 30 minute ferry ride.
Known as the “Valley Of The Hot Springs” there are numerous hot springs throughout the Columbia Basin.
When the Rocky Mountains were created some 65 million years ago by a ‘Continental “ plate collision, fissures extending far below the earth’s surface developed during the tectonic shift. Rain and snow melt run down these chasms to the deep warm rocks, heating the water that re-emerges containing rock minerals. The waters seeps or flows from the earth after it has been heated by volcanic forces. The mineral water bubbles from deep within the earth and emerges at the surface at temperatures close to 50 degrees Celcius.
Halcyon Hot Springs - meaning "Calm and Serene" lives up to it's name. Where else can a person enjoy soaking in healing waters while taking in the panoramic views of Arrow Lake and the surrounding peaks - Mt. Odin and Mt. Thor are both over 2900 meters.
The ancient healing waters of Halcyon were first utilized by the natives who called it “Great Medicine Water” for it’s ability to cure all kinds of sickness from liver, kidney, and stomach ailments, to nervous and muscular disorders. Halcyon’s waters have a unique combination of sodium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium, which can provide relief from ailments such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and gout. The lithium content of the water is unsurpassed by any known spring (six times stronger than any other springs in America) , and besides being a natural relaxant, it was believed that it would help purify the blood.
The “bottle works” were erected in 1898 and large orders were received from places as far away as London England. Halcyon is one of the few hot springs in the world where the water is to this day bottled and drinkable.
The Halcyon Hotel operated from the 1890s until it was destroyed by fire in the 1950s and was a popular heath retreat and party place. Halcyon gained an international reputation as a place of healing and at one time was “on the map” with twice a day visits from the CPR steamships.
The area of the original resort/sanatorium was mostly flooded by the upper Arrow Lake after the dams were placed in 1969. Today there is a modern resort on the remaining part of the original site. It offers three year round pools and one seasonal pool, each with a different temperature.
Hot Pool 104F/40C
Warm Pool 100F/38C
Cold Plunge 55F/12C
Seasonal Mineral Pool 88F/32C
A rough gravel road above the Resort leads up from the highway to the source of the springs which are located on Private Property. The source is comprised of several springs with the hottest spring being 51C.
At one time there were two rustic pools in place where the locals were known to hang out.
To log this Earthcache:
Step One: Email (Do not post on the cache page) the cache owner the answers to the following questions:
1) How many stone posts surround the three upper pools?
2) What is the approximate distance from the upper pools to the current lake level.
Step Two:
You will need to enter the lobby and obtain an analysis of the mineral content of the water which you will find proudly displayed to your right as you come in the doors. If there are none on display they are available for the asking.
Email us with the following answers;
1) What is the content (mg/L) of the following minerals -
Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Strontium.
Step Three:
The only primary original buildings that remains is the chapel.
You must visit this location (additional waypoint)
N 50 31.157 W 117 54.053
And answer 2 questions;
1) Who is the plaque to the left of the chapel door dedicated to?
2) There is a blue plaque to the right of the chapel - what important part of history does it point out?
ANY FOUND LOGS THAT DO NOT MEET THE LOGGING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DELETED 
Optional Requirement:
Step Four: Visit the posted coordinates and take a picture of your group with your GPS and either the pools themselves, the hot springs building, or the scenic view of Arrow Lake.
There are several locations to take in the views of the pools and/or the lake.
(1/1/2011 New logging requirement in compliance with the EarthCache Guidelines. "Requests for photographs must be optional.”)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)