Scenic Hot Springs facts for kids
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Scenic Hot Springs is a natural mineral spring located in Washington state. It is owned by a private group and is not open to the public. The springs are found south of U.S. Route 2, about 8 miles west of Stevens Pass. They are also next to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Long ago, the Great Northern Railway had a stop nearby for people who wanted to visit the springs.
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What are Mineral Springs?
A mineral spring is a natural spring that produces water containing special minerals. These minerals come from the rocks underground. People often believe these minerals have health benefits. Some mineral springs are naturally hot, while others are cool.
History of Scenic Hot Springs
Early Days: Madison Hot Springs
In the 1890s, a lodge called Madison Hot Springs was built near the railroad tracks. This lodge was made for visitors who came by train from Seattle. They wanted to experience the mineral baths. The water from the spring is naturally cool, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The lodge would heat the water and send it through pipes to bathhouses. They called them "hot springs," even though the water wasn't naturally hot.
A Change of Name and Closure
Later, the lodge's name was changed to Scenic Hot Springs. It continued to be a business until 1928. The Great Northern Railway was building a long, 8-mile tunnel under Stevens Pass. They dumped a lot of rock and dirt from the tunnel construction right in front of the lodge. This damage led to the lodge's closing.
The springs were mostly forgotten until the 1980s. Then, they became a popular place again for people who enjoyed bathing in mineral water. Visitors even built several tubs there, each with different water temperatures.
Why It Closed Down
In October 2001, the King County Sheriff closed the springs. They warned people that they would be arrested for trespassing. The landowner had asked for this because they didn't know what was happening on their property.
There were also worries about safety and legal responsibility. The area is also protected for its environment. No building permits had been given for the structures built there. Because of these reasons, the wooden decks and tubs were taken down.
The Future of the Springs
It is not clear if the springs will ever be open to the public again in the same way. A lot of damage has happened due to vandalism and bad weather. Also, rules from the government make it hard to fix the springs back to how they used to be.
See also
In Spanish: Scenic (Washington) para niños
