Takhini Hot Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Takhini Hot Springs |
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| 60°52′43″N 135°21′31″W / 60.8787°N 135.3585°W | |
| Address | KM 10/Mile 6 Takhini Hotsprings Road |
| Postcode | Y1A 7A2 |
| Website | http://www.takhinihotsprings.com |
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| Campground and Equinox Rox | |
Takhini Hot Springs is a natural hot springs located near Whitehorse, Yukon. It's about 28 kilometers (17 miles) from the city center. This popular spot is a local business with two pools that have different temperatures. It also has a campground with over 80 places to stay. Takhini Hot Springs has been open for over 100 years and is a very popular place to visit in the Canadian Yukon.
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Amazing Hot Springs Water
The warm water at Takhini Hot Springs flows out of the ground very quickly. About 385 liters (86 gallons) of water come out every minute! When the water first comes from deep underground, it's super hot, around 46.5° Celsius (118° Fahrenheit).
The main pool at the springs is split into two parts:
- The hot side is about 42° Celsius (107.6° Fahrenheit).
- The cool side is usually around 36° Celsius (96.8° Fahrenheit).
One great thing about Takhini Hot Springs is that its water doesn't smell like sulfur. Many other hot springs have a strong sulfur smell, but not this one!
Scientists believe the hot spring water comes from cracks deep in the earth. Rain and snow from the mountains sink into the ground. As this water goes deeper, the earth heats it up, and minerals dissolve into it. Then, the warm, mineral-rich water rises back to the surface through a small opening. Takhini Hot Springs is special because its water is not filtered, making it one of the few natural, unfiltered hot springs in the world.
Tests show that it takes at least 60 years for the water to travel from the surface, deep into the earth, and then back up to the springs. During its underground journey, the water can get as hot as 95° Celsius (203° Fahrenheit). It then cools down a bit as it rises to the surface.
A Look Back: History of Takhini
Takhini Hot Springs has a long and interesting history in the Yukon. Long ago, it was sometimes called "Jim Boss' Bathtub." This was named after a famous First Nations Chief whose village was nearby. The First Nations people had known about and used these natural hot waters for hundreds of years.
In 1902, two people named William Puckett and A.R. Gordon applied to lease the land. They bought the property in 1907. They started telling people about the springs, saying the water was good for your health.
The very first pool was built in the 1940s. It was made of wood and canvas. The United States Army used this pool while they were building the Alaska Highway. Later, in 1950, a concrete pool was built. The pools and buildings you see today were built in the 1970s. In 2008, many updates were made to make the facilities even better. The hot springs are always being improved!
Takhini Hot Springs is also a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.
Fun Hair Freezing Contest
Every year, Takhini Hot Springs holds a super fun event called The International Hair Freezing Contest. It started in 2011 and has become very popular!
In the most recent contest in 2020, there were 288 entries across five different categories:
- Best Male
- Best Female
- Best Group
- Nongshim's People's Choice
- Tim Horton's Most Creative
The winner in each category gets CAD$2000 and free passes to the hot springs! To enter, people must visit the Takhini Hot Pools between December and March. The temperature must be very cold, below -20°C (-4°F), for the contest to happen. This cold weather helps the wet hair freeze into amazing shapes!
Images for kids
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Main pool area
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Runoff from the pool area
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Zipline across the lake
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Takhini Hot Springs in 1907
