Gamma Hot Springs

Gamma Hot Springs, the hottest spring in the North Cascades region, remains undeveloped and is suitable only for experienced mountaineers. Access to this location is extremely challenging, requiring at least three days for a round trip from your starting point with a car. To reach the springs, you'll need the USGS Lime Mountain and Gamma Peak maps or the Green Trails Glacier Peak map.

The journey begins at Sulphur Creek campground, where you'll follow trail 784 alongside the Suiattle River for approximately 20 km (12 miles). After crossing the river on the Skyline Bridge, you'll continue on the Pacific Crest Trail for about 700 m (0.4 mi) until you reach the junction where the old Gamma Ridge trail (trail 786) heads east. From there, you'll follow this trail, climbing higher on Gamma Ridge until you can find a safe route to descend about 460 m (1500 ft) into the headwaters of Gamma Creek.

While an alternate approach involves going directly up Gamma Creek from the Pacific Crest Trail, this route can be difficult due to dense bushes and numerous waterfalls. The hot springs flow from several cracks in the bedrock on the east side of the creek, more or less submerged in the creek itself, at an elevation of about 1500 m (5000 ft).

Discovered by geologist Rowland Tabor during a mapping expedition in 1962, these springs are a popular spot for mountain goats but are rarely visited by humans. Due to its remote and challenging location, Gamma Hot Springs is an adventure reserved for skilled mountaineers.