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This is the 17th
hot springs the two RV Gypsies have visited since living full-time in
their RV. Hopefully there will be more to come in the future. |
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Takhini Hot Springs (tɑːkiːniː) is a natural hot springs located just outside the border of Whitehorse, Yukon (28 km from city centre - about a 25 minute car ride). It is open all year round. It is a locally run business which incorporates two pools at different temperatures and has a campground with over 80 sites. (The two RV Gypsies were planning on staying in the campground but since their RV was in repair, that did not happen)/ There is also a hostel with a 20 bed capacity, Wi-Fi, kitchen, seasonal sunroom and a games-TV area. Hostel guests must bring a sleeping bag. Takhini Hot Springs is a historic site and a very popular destination for tourists and locals. |
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 The
hot springs flows from the earth to the surface at a rate of 86 gallons
per minute. The temperature from the source is 118° Fahrenheit. The
pool is divided into two sections: the hot side and the cool
side. As the water flows from the source to the hot pool the water cools
to 107.6° Fahrenheit. The cool side is an average of 96.8° Fahrenheit.
Takhini Hot Springs is fortunate to contain no sulfurous odor as is
common to most hot springs.
Based on geothermal research, the hot springs water comes from intersecting faults in the earth. Rain water and snow from the mountains go deep into the earth, where the water is heated and the minerals dissolve. The water then returns to the surface and out of the ground in a small crater (the source). The source is currently located near the pool facilities.
According to tests, it has taken a minimum of 60 years for the water in the pools to come from the ground into the source. During its underground journey to the surface, the water reaches a maximum temperature of 203° Fahrenheit and then cools down as it rises to the surface and into the source. |
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 Takhini Hot Springs has a long history in the Yukon. Used by the First Nations People for centuries, the site was known for natural hot water flowing from the ground. In 1907 it was commercially promoted for its therapeutic value. The first pool was made of wood and canvas and was built in the 1940s for the use of the United States Army while they constructed the Alaska Highway. In 1950 a concrete pool was built and that was later replaced by the existing pool and building in the 1970s. In 2008, many renovations were undertaken to improve the pool's facilities. Renovations are still made to this day.
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Below: Lee Duquette
on the COOL side of Takhini Hot Springs and Karen Duquette on the HOT
side of Takhini Hot Springs. On busy days, the pools were very crowded.
Families were playing ball in the pool. Teens were throwing each other
into the water. Men were doing "cannonballs". On those days,
it was not very relaxing. This was the 17th hot springs the two RV Gypsies
have been to, and none of the others allowed such actions. This place
was treated like a swimming pool, not a relaxing hot springs. But still,
it was nice enough. |
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There were lots of ground squirrels running and playing at Takhini Hot Springs. They were fun to watch and photograph. |
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Café Balzam is located beside the popular Takhini Hot Springs and amidst the imposing Yukon landscape. Café Balzam uses “farm-to-table”‘ sustainability, local ingredients, and a strong community-minded ethos. Crêpes are the cornerstone of Café Balzam’s offerings. Sometimes, local bands perform and entertain the dinner guests. |
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The two RV Gypsies tried a specialty of Cafe Balzam - the hamburger crepe. It was OK, but the two RV Gypsies did not eat there again even though they visited Takhini Hot Springs several more times while staying in Whitehorse. |
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Below: Photos along the road to Takhini Hot Springs |
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