Hiking to Goldmyer hot springs is a popular activity for those who love the outdoors. Although the geothermal heat in the region creates moderately warm springs, you should be prepared to wear a bathing suit and bring your towel. The cave hot pool is also accessible without a bathing suit. Access to the cave hot pool is limited to 20 people per day. This place isn’t suitable for children, but adults can definitely enjoy a dip there.
Hiking to Goldmyer hot springs
If you’re looking for a scenic hike that’s easy on your body, consider a hike to Goldmyer Hot Springs. This gem of a natural hot spring is surrounded by lush temperate rainforest, and the scenic trail winds through the forest. Hiking to Goldmyer Hot Springs is a relatively short hike that leads to a waterfall and natural geothermal hot springs. The hot springs are naturally hot, and are surrounded by trees with multi-layered canopies and canopy gaps.
You can hike to the hot springs from several directions. You can also take the Dutch Miller Gap Trail to get to the hot springs. This trail follows the Middle Fork River and crosses the pristine, second-growth forest. The trail is mostly flat, but there are a few tricky creek crossings. You’ll need to be extra careful with Thunder Creek, which is one of the more difficult creek crossings.
When planning your trip to Goldmyer, make sure you have a high-clearance vehicle. The road is often in poor condition, so be sure to bring a high-clearance vehicle. You’ll want to wear hiking boots and a waterproof pair of shoes. Also, you’ll need to have a Northwest Forest Pass to enter the area. The road is not easy to find, but GPS directions are provided with your reservation confirmation.
Clothing optional in cave hot pool
The NWWP owns and runs Goldmyer Hot Springs. This natural hot springs is a world apart from the hectic pace of city life. The spa is closed for cleaning twice a week, drained, scrubbed, and refilled by caring caretakers. Visitors can swim in the hot springs without clothing and can even take a picnic lunch. To eat, a plastic bucket is provided.
The cave-like main pool at Goldmyer is 103 degrees, with a rock wall, benches, and flat areas where you can light candles. The main pool is the hottest, and cascades down into two smaller, four-person pools that are slightly warmer than body temperature. Once you’re done in the cave, you can take a cool plunge into the river, which is directly fed by the hot springs.
The Cascade Mountains surround the site, and it is a short drive from the city to Goldmyer. There’s a daily admission cap, and it is best to plan ahead. There’s no better way to relax than in the natural hot springs of the Pacific Northwest. The natural beauty of this region is one of the main reasons Goldmyer has become a popular destination for visitors.
The Goldmyer Hot Springs water temperature ranges from 114 degrees to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. While the cave hot pool is the warmest, there is a cold pool right next to it. The water is mildly alkaline and contains traces of several minerals, including potassium and sodium. A visit to Goldmyer Hot Springs will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle the Upper Middle Fork River Valley.
Geothermal heat creates moderately warm springs
The hot water in the Goldmyer Hot Springs is approximately 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The water emerges from a horizontal mine shaft and flows into a cave pool. The water is gradually cooler as it flows into two pools outside the cave. The water’s pH balance is moderately high, with trace amounts of sodium, magnesium, and other minerals. It’s refreshing to cool off in the water, but you should wear a bathing suit to stay safe.
A hike from the car will take you to the hot springs, which are surrounded by a dense canopy of ancient Douglas firs. The moderately warm springs are accessible by a short, easy hike along the trail. The hike to the springs takes about an hour, and you’ll be treated to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and forest. There are only 20 people allowed to enter the water each day, so plan accordingly.
There are two trails on the trail to Goldmyer: one is on the Middle Fork Trail and the other branches off to the left. The trail to Goldmyer Hot Springs is about half a mile long and begins at the parking area for Dingford. You can also access Goldmyer Hot Springs by bicycle. The trail to the springs starts at the middle fork of Middle Fork Road, which is an old road.
Access is limited to 20 people per day
You can visit Goldmyer Hot Springs, a hidden gem of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, by making a reservation. Access is restricted to 20 people per day and reservations are required. The hot springs are managed by the Northwest Wilderness Programs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region’s wild spaces. To access the hot springs, you must travel four hours from Seattle by car, preferably in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. You will also need a high-clearance vehicle and four-wheel-drive to reach the hot springs. Be aware that the area gets snow from November to April, so make sure to prepare for this weather change.
You can reach Goldmyer Hot Springs by car from the Pratt Connector Trail. You can also take a hike from Dingford Trailhead, which is closed to automobiles. The trail is mostly flat and passes through second-growth forest, which is both impressive and captivating. There is also a campground available for $5 per night. The only caveat to this campground is that there is no campfire allowed in the hot springs.
Because of its popularity, Goldmyer Hot Springs is often overcrowded. For this reason, visitors should make reservations ahead of time. The hot spring is privately owned and managed by the environmental nonprofit Northwest Wilderness Programs. While Goldmyer Hot Springs is open to the public, access is limited to 20 people per day. Therefore, planning and advance research are critical to enjoying the pristine nature of Goldmyer Hot Springs.
Located in the Cascades Mountains
The Cascades are home to the largest concentration of active volcanoes in North America. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the Cascades are a small part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a chain of volcanoes that spans the rim of the Pacific Ocean. The Cascades Mountains are home to over 200 active volcanoes, with the tallest peak of 14,411 feet (4,392 m) Mount Rainier dominating its surroundings for fifty to one hundred miles.
The northern portion of the Cascades is the “North Cascades” region and includes Mount Rainier. The Cascades are extremely steep and rugged, with many major passes being only 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high. In addition to the North Cascades, the southern portion of the Canadian Cascades is also considered part of the Cascades. Opinions vary as to whether to include the Coquihalla Range in this area.
The Cascades Mountain range is a complex of mountains that stretch from northern California to central British Columbia. The Cascade Range includes mountains in California, Washington, and Oregon, and is one of the wettest major mountain ranges in the western US. The Cascades receives a significant amount of rain and snow during the summer and winter seasons. The amount of precipitation varies by location, but the proximity to the coast means that the western slopes receive a great deal of precipitation.
Open year-round
Located 50 miles east of Seattle near North Bend, Washington, Goldmyer Hot Springs is a scenic escape for nature lovers. This wild and pristine location attracts visitors from all over the country. The 20-acre wilderness preserve is a must-visit destination, but the road is not the only attraction. For day trips, visitors can take the paved road, which is about 12 miles long. To access the springs, hikers can access the site from the Dingford Creek Trailhead, which is a 4.5-mile one-way hike.
There are two main trailheads at the site, and both are marked with detailed information about parking and hiking. A scenic waterfall cascades from a rock cliff into a small pool, offering a magnificent view of the trees and surrounding hills. A picnic area is adjacent to the pool, and the setting is enchanting. The area receives twice as much rainfall as Seattle, making it one of the last remnants of an ancient forest ecosystem in North America.
The springs are popular and often crowded, so admission is limited to twenty people per day. To avoid crowds and preserve the natural beauty of the area, make reservations ahead of time. Weekends and holidays are busiest, so be sure to plan ahead if possible. Walk-ins are also allowed, but must pay cash on arrival. If you’re planning a visit to Goldmyer, make sure to call ahead and reserve your spot.
