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Liard River Hot Springs Provincial
Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is
home to the second largest hot spring in Canada. The park is part of
the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. The community of Liard River,
British Columbia is located nearby. The Liard River Hot Springs Provincial
Park was created in April 1957. The first boardwalk and pool facilities
were built by the United States Army in 1942. The Liard River Hot Springs
were originally named the Theresa Hot Springs |
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A lodge with restaurant was located across the highway, the Liard Hot
Springs Lodge, but the two RV Gypsies have not stopped there during
any of their multiple visits to Liard Hot Springs. |
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Below: Upon arrival
at Liard River Hot Springs, the back-up camera was so dirty that it
no longer projected an image. |
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Below: The two
RV Gypsies' toad and RV were not very clean either. |
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Below:
Look at the dirt that collected between the windshield and the wipers
of the toad. |
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Below: The campground
and hot springs are open year-round. Sites are NOT assigned and it is
first come, first served. Most sites appeared to be about the same size.
Even tents got big sites. All sites were dry camping, no amenities.
There are only 50 sites and the two RV Gypsies got site #50 this time.
Generators could only be used at certain designated times. The roads
and sites were gravel. No TV, no Wi-Fi. But the purpose of this campground
is to visit the hot springs and relax. |
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The RV shown
below served as a Visitor Center at Liard Hot Springs. |
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There are raised
walkways from the parking area to the springs so that the delicate muskeg
that forms the swamp is not disturbed. The walkway was the scene of
a much-publicized black bear attack that killed two tourists on August
14, 1997. However, at least 50 bears were killed around the springs
in 1998 to ease the public's concern.
Below: The two RV Gypsies on the 980-foot long boardwalk during a
light rain storm. |
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Below: The park
contains a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and
diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Watch
for moose feeding in the warm water swamps. Bears, as well, are a common
hazard in summer months, and may be feeding only 10 feet away from bathers.
Due to the lush plant life (including 14 species of orchids) influenced
by the warmth of the springs, the area was originally known as the "Tropical
Valley". |
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There are two hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 108
°F to 126 °F. The nearest is the Alpha pool which has a rocky bottom.
Beta pool is beyond Alpha and is larger, cooler and deeper with a muddy
bottom.
However, as of 2013, Beta pool has been permanently closed due to
bear traffic, and the boardwalk leading to it has been removed. (The
two RV Gypsies were also here in 2009 when the Beta Pool was still open.
Those photos can be seen by using the TOC button on almost any page
and choosing H for Hot Springs.)
Below: Karen Duquette enjoying the Alpha pool. |
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Below: There
were a few benches in the middle of the hot springs, so everyone must
be careful not to trip over them. But they were slimy to sit on. There
were also some places to sit along the side walls. Notice the small
brown spot in the grass in the photo below. That is a marmot feeding.
See the other photos of the marmot below. |
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Below: Scenery
while walking back to the RV around 11 p.m. Yes, it was still very light
outside and the two RV Gypsies spotted a moose in the distance. |
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Karen Duquette spent 99% of her time in the hot area. But on day two, she
decided to check out the waterfall in the cooler area for a brief period
of time. Lee Duquette liked the cooler area better, as did most people.
That is fine, as it gives Karen more space to relax in. |
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Below: The cooler
hot spring had a river that was blocked off by logs at one end. |
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The narrow spot
shown below actually leads to a part of the river where bathers can
stroll for a bit, but neither of the two RV Gypsies chose to do so. |
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Below: Walking
back to the RV around midnight, Karen Duquette saw a little squirrel
scampering on the boardwalk. Yes, it was still light outside. |
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Below: Karen Duquette took a couple of selfies but they did
not turn out that well. Lee Duquette was back at the RV. |
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