Liard Hot Springs

Canada has many hot springs. I never knew this. We spent 3 nights at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, went in the springs, walked on the boardwalks to several of the springs, and went to listen to the park's naturalist talk about the area. She said that there are actually several other springs, but they are not developed for public use. Bears are often seen in the area, so one talk was on bear safety. Now, when we are out walking, about every 50', I yell..."Yo! Bear!!" so they know I'm around and, hopefully, they go the other way!! :-)


The boardwalk goes over the hot springs swamp. There is only one type of fish in the water and it has adapted to the hot water. This swampy area has cooler water than the actual springs.


Many animals come to the springs, especially in the winter. No, no animals in this picture.


This is the boreal forest surrounding the springs.


It's almost tropical-like vegetation.


This is the hottest end, about 180 degrees. As you'd expect, the sulfur smell is quite strong.


Many sets of stairs lead into the water. It's about 150 degrees at the far end of the pool.


The springs feed the river and swamp. The lower river area is cooler yet.


These are some of the people from our caravan. The man is sitting on an underwater bench under the waterfall. On our first walk to the springs, I brought the camera. We came back later wearing our bathing suits and enjoyed the hot springs. I was sitting on the bench when the force of the water kind of bumped me and knocked my magnetic sunglasses into the river. Oops! Rick looked and looked, and so did a couple of other helpful people...to no avail. Darn! When the sun is out way up North here, it is REALLY bright!


This is a second hot springs, close to a mile from the parking lot. It was quite an uphill walk on the boardwalk. Can you see it bubbling in the middle? Few hike this far to use the springs....also, too hot.


Really pretty up here. Both springs had little changing rooms and outhouses.


These steps led up to an area called the hanging gardens. It's where some of the water comes out.





Kind of weird looking, really.


That's me on the boardwalk.