In 1928, concrete pools were built by hauling materials about 15 km in by horse or human power from Nakusp. Residents of Nakusp felt the waters should be open and free for all to use, while others tried staking mining claims over the land. The hot springs come with a history of disputes since the first efforts to own it floundered in 1894. From Ainsworth, head north up Highway 23 about 2.4 km then turn right onto Hot Springs Road for about 12 km to the springs. If you want to check out two hot springs on one trip, drive from Ainsworth to the nearby Nakusp. The water enters the system at a temperature of 47✬ before it is cooled to an average of 42✬ for the tunnel. There are few accommodations or eating options available outside of the hotel now that the neighbouring Mermaid Motel has closed. The entrance to the hot springs is through the hotel but you don’t have to be a guest to soak there. The hotel was built in 1987 and has undergone a couple of renovations. In 1882 George Ainsworth, from Portland, Oregon, planned for a townsite near the hot springs but it wasn’t until the decline of mining in the 1920s that focus shifted to the springs themselves. Those living with other ailments, such as arthritis, would utilize the hot pool to find some relief to their pain.” "After battle, warriors would soak in the spirit waters (nupika wu’u) to ease the wounds sustained in the fight to defend this beautiful territory. "Since time immemorial, the Ktunaxa people have utilized this site as a place for healing,” states the hot springs website. It’s not only on the traditional homelands of the Ktunaxa people but it’s also owned by the Lower Kootenay Band. It has hot water dripping from the ceiling and running in from one end. The tunnel was carved into the hillside by miners trying to expand the flow of water. The drive from Kamloops will take around five and a half hours on the most direct route, and the drive from Kelowna is just under five hours, depending on weather conditions. The 46-metre horseshoe-shaped tunnel is a great place to go and escape reality, but if caves aren’t your thing, there's also open-air pools. Sitting on Kootenay Lake is Ainsworth Hot Springs, unique in that you can enjoy a warm soak while exploring a limestone cave. The only sensible thing is to visit some of the best hot springs open during the winter months. Unfortunately, the 100✬ geothermal underground heating is cooled by surface water and is best visited in the summer. It contains plaques describing flora and fauna and is surrounded by 10-metre high tufa deposits. The Hiking Addiction web site says it’s accessible year round via a four kilometre hike off the Little White Forest Service Road in East Kelowna. There’s nothing like gazing at the frozen wilderness while soaking in a soothing open-air hot spring in the winter.īut for Interior residents, it takes some planning, travel and booking of rooms – unless you’re brave enough to hike into the Angel Springs along the south slopes of Kelowna.
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