Scenic Topo Survey Images

Scenic Topo Survey Images. . . as we obtain more data points the topography of Scenic Hot Springs is firming up. This screen capture from my surveying software shows the overall features of Scenic; including the BPA Road, the trail up to the springs, and the so-far identified hot spring sources along with water flows. To the lower left of the image you can see the beginnings of the planning for

This is what it is all about, isn't it? Why we must preserve Scenic in the most natural state possible. 

Scenic up near the springs was a winter fairy land this past week 

FS Gate Padlock Shot up Saturday

FS Gate padlock shot up Saturday 
Photo courtesy George

You know, whomever did this is giving a bad rap to people who supposedly like the great outdoors, and especially Scenic Hot Springs. What on earth could possess someone to engage in such silly vandalism? What is it going to prove? We will simply have the lock cut off and replaced . . . only first, we have to notify the Forest Service . .

How Not to Make a Campfire!

I took a quick trip up to Scenic this Wednesday to get some measurements and because I figure this might be the last time my trusty Honda Civic is going to be able to negotiate the FS road up past the gate . . . snows forecast for Wednesday night. Earlier in the week we had found that someone was building campfires up there so I figured I'd also get some shots of that and then spend some time

Snow Warning at Scenic this Thanksgiving Weekend

The snow levels are dropping and the precip going up . . . in other words, a lot of snow is going to be dumped in the Scenic area starting Wednesday night and continuing throughout the weekend, so be prepared.

- Snow levels around 1,500 feet . . . that's well below the FS road entrance on Highway 2 and you can just bet the snow plows clearing the highway will be piling a snow/ice dam across the

Updated: Why No Camping at Scenic?

Posted in TribeNet


I've been just a casual user of Scenic over the past few years, having made the trek perhaps a dozen times since I first learned of it. I always wanted to become involved in the community so I could give back, but I could never find contact information. So hey, I'm glad to have found this tribe.

Anyway, I understand that there's a no camping rule there now. I respect that,

Campfires on the Deck of the Pool?

Saturday night right at dusk as I was awaiting Mike to head back down and home, I turned away two visitors hiking their way up to the springs with larger than normal backpacks . . . campers. When I confronted one on the BPA road and informed him he was on private property and didn't he see the sign on the side of the road, he was ready with his excuse. He said 'but I thought this is forest

Commentary: Patterns of Possession

For those that have been following the comments to my article on volunteer-ism, the anonymous poster does open up some very interesting and important considerations about how people tend to claim things for themselves and it seems to be a pattern at many hot springs as they evolve through illegal possession to ownership involvement (positive or negative). There always seems to be a 'Friends of'

Vandalism at Scenic

Also posted in TribeNet

It seems that some people just don't give a f**k and are going to ruin any chance that Scenic will open again in the foreseeable future.

Today, or more precisely sometime last night, some a**hole removed all the signs we had put up in accordance with the wishes of the sheriffs department. Those signs were carefully worded to protect the owners liability without being

Photos of Trail Erosion Control Measures

The major undertaking of the work party last Saturday was the placement of four water bars on the lower portion of the trail from the property line up to the first creek, or Honeymoon Creek.

The county specified no more than fifty foot seperation and logs of at least 8-10 inches in diameter. The logs were to extend completely across the trail and extend, or overhand, over the downhill side.

ADVISORY: Vehicle Theft at FS Trailheads

The Forest Service reports some vehicle thefts are occurring by the use of a rollback truck. When a Forest visitor parks on a road it is very easy to back the truck directly to the vehicle, lower the bed and winch the vehicle onto the truck in a few minutes. It could be a truck with flashing red or yellow lights and look like a legitimate service call. It is suggested that if you park on the

The Meaning of Volunteer-ism

From a post in TribeNet concerning Scenic and Work Parties . . .

Why does the new owner need volunteers? Can't he get a business loan or some venture capital together to get the springs operational without using volunteers? Can he get things operation without volunteer work?
Complete thread here

And my response after NG got finished with him . . .


Sometimes you just have to get aboard to

The Curious Route Water Takes Underground

Ever in my quest to understand the therma-hydrodynamics of where the hot water comes from at Scenic I thought I'd park this interesting little factoid here in the hopes it would explain something at a later date.

Scenic has an unusual configuration for a hot springs. Normally, the water emerges hottest at the lower elevations but Scenic is the exact opposite. Supposition is that this is

No Trespassing Sign at Property Line

The sign says it all. Don't presume it's okay. 

Work Party is at 9AM this Saturday

Robert has just posted the time on TribeNet and asks that we meet at the gate, 9AM, Saturday for the work party

Just some snow Pics of Scenic at trail entrance

Actually, I love the snow . . . that's the backside of Stevens in the background

and the drop offs are getting dangerously close 

Yes, it can snow. Here we are right at the trailhead last week 

WARNING! Car Vandals are at it again!!!!!

This from George (sorry to preempt you George but I was not certain you could post yet).

Last Saturday, a group of individuals went up to the springs against advice and warnings; intending to also camp overnight at the springs (though we did not know that at the time.

On the following day, as they arrived back at the gate where they had parked their vehicles, they discovered that they had been

Don't Forget the Work Party This Saturday!

WHEN: The work party is scheduled for Saturday . . . the time yet to be determined but hopefully Robert will get that word out and I'll publish it here when I know.

WHERE: We will meet at the FS gate and then drive a limited number of vehicles up to the BPA power lines . . . and for a few vehicles that are capable, on up to the trail entrance.

For those on a different schedule, you'll have

Snow Warning for Scenic

Heavy snow is forecast for Saturday and Sunday in the Stevens Pass area, including Scenic Hot Springs. Please note that the snow levels are going to go down to 2,500 ft Saturday and to 2,000 ft on Sunday before rising once again with rain showers on Monday.

"Saturday night, showers. Snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. Snow level 2500 feet. West wind in the passes 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday, mostly

Let's set the record straight about Scenic being open . . .

Okay, first off, I do not represent the new owner of Scenic Hot Springs so what I say has no bearing or binding on his position. However, I do understand his feelings about access.

Scenic is private property and it is posted 'No Trespassing'. That is a legal position and you must absolutely understand the consequences should the sheriffs department decide to enforce the posting of the property

I guess the snow warning was too little, too late . . .

On our way back down the BPA Road last Saturday, we encountered a man and his son from Oregon, hiking their way on up to the Springs. It was getting late in the afternoon and getting cold out. Already 5-6 inches of snow on the ground; more at the springs. We wished them well and asked them to be careful and thought no more of it as we were wet and cold and dead tired.

Mike, the owner, and

First Snow of the Season at Scenic. Are you ready?

We got our first (and probably temporary) dump of snow this last Saturday while I was up there doing some trail hunting. Five to six inches at the entrance to the trail, it was pretty rough going even in four-wheel drive. I would suggest everyone who has legitimate business up there and driving to think twice before driving in this stuff. There were anxious moments as Mike got his snow legs

Expertise Needed

There are many volunteers freely-giving their time and efforts to helping revitalize Scenic Hot Springs. I, myself, have become involved in extensive walking of the property and doing trail and features surveying. Yet that is not my primary area of expertise nor do I have good surveying instruments to do an accurate job. What would be nice is if anyone with surveying experience and/or

What you can do to help . . .

Scenic Hot Springs is on Private Property and you should always keep that in mind when you go trespassing on the owners' land. In the memory of the King County Sheriffs' Office and the code enforcers of DCLU, the overzealous and 'illegal' construction of the years leading up to October, 2001 are still fresh on their minds. They do not want a return to those incidents ranging from car vandalism

Hot Spring Etiquette

Posters Note: Originally posted in my Scenic Hot Springs Blog in October of 2004, this material is still timely and of use. This article is not Scenic Hot Springs-specific, although it certainly applies. I put together the article for another of my blogs, specifically referring to hot springs and nude beaches in California some months ago at the height of the summer soaking season. I am indebted

Welcome to Scenic Hot Springs

Scenic Hot Springs has a long history of use as a natural hot springs. In this blog we will attempt to nuture acceptance of the springs by government, users and afficionados from around the world. This blog will become a forum to bring us all together to make Scenic Hot Springs available to the public once more and to engender a sense of duty and respect to keep Scenic Hot Springs the beautiful