Hope Springs Eternal Traditional Cache
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You'd never know it standing here today, but Glen Alpine Springs was once a a world-class resort, complete with with hotel and post office, playing host to countless would-be wilderness adventurers. Today only remnants of the glory that once was remain, ghosts of a ruggedly lavish past, a silent reminder of the inexorable march of time and Mother Nature's desire to reclaim her own.
The springs themselves were first discovered by Nathan Gilmore in 1863, and within 10 years, he had constructed a wagon road to the springs area and opened a resort, then called "Gilmore's Soda Springs". The name Glen Alpine was bestowed upon the region by Nathan's wife, Amanda Gray Gilmore. She was enamored of Sir Walter Scott's romantic poem Lady of the Lake in which is found the following passage:
Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine's glen
In peace; but when I come again,
I come with banner, brand, and bow,
As leader seeks his mortal foe.
For love-lore swain in lady's bower
Ne'er panted for the appointed hour
As I, until before me stand
This rebel Chieftain and his band!
The rejuvenating waters of the springs as well as the beauty of surrounding area turned Gilmore's resort into something of a sensation. Even the famed conservationist John Muir was prompted to comment, "The Glen Alpine Springs tourist resort seems to me one of the most delightful places in all the famous Tahoe region. From no other valley, as far as I know, may excursions be made in a single day to so many peaks, wild gardens, glacier lakes, glacier meadows, and Alpine groves, cascades, etc."
Nearby media also picked up on the excitement: "Nature seems to have spent her energy in perfecting this place for recreation and health, for in addition to all that has been mentioned is an exact counterpart of the famous Buffalo Lithia mineral spring, so celebrated for its medicinal properties.
The water caries in solution iron, soda, salt, and lithia, and the rejuvenating influence these waters effect can be demonstrated by experiment better than by description. Altogether this is one of the most popular places in the mountains, and some half a hundred guests (always including a goodly number of good-looking school-ma'ams), find hospitality extended at the rate of $14 per week. This includes unlimited opportunities for flirting, lots of pie, and the use of a brand new piano." (Sacramento Daily Union, July 15, 1890)
Today, however, the resort has gone dormant... the only activity being the ever-present, effervescent bubbling of the spring itself. Take some time to explore the grounds, though, as many of the stone buildings designed by famed San Francisco architect Bernard Maybeck still stand watch over Clan-Alpine's Glen.
To access Glen Alpine Springs drive to the Desolation Wilderness Trailhead at Lily Lake. You technically don't need to fill out a wilderness permit just to access Glen Alpine Springs resort, but if you want to go any farther on the trail, you'll need one, so you might as well just fill one out and take it with you anyway. Day-use permits are available at the Trailhead Kiosk. It's just over a mile from the parking lot to the Springs, so expect a 2 mile round-trip adventure as a minimum. Once at the old resort, take some time to explore the surrounding buildings, many of which were designed by famed Bay Area architect, Bernard Maybeck.
The main trail will take you right past the Springs, easily identifiable by the wooden structure still standing over them. The Soda Spring was covered by a pagoda in 1905 to help protect it. In the early days of the resort, the spring water was bottled and shipped out through the Tallac Wharf on Lake Tahoe.
Brownish in color because of a high amount of iron, the water has 138.36 cubic inches of Free Carbonic Acid Gas per gallon. The other major components that make up its sizzle and appeal are calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride and calcium sulphate. Temperature, 39.5F.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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