Sphaler Creek Warm Springs

Not far from the border between British Columbia and Alaska are the springs near the head of Sphaler Creek, a large tributary of the Stikine River. Sadly, unless you have a scientific interest in hot springs or geology, they are probably too unremarkable for such an arduous journey, as the only reasonable means of access is via a lengthy, prohibitively costly helicopter ride from either Stewart or Dease Lake, likely beyond the call of adventure for mere enthusiasts not lucky enough to be working with government grant money. Nevertheless, for the most aggressively curious, the Sphaler Creek springs can be found at UTM grid reference 640231 on NTS map 104G/3, about 10.5km (6.5 miles) downstream of Round Lake.

Throughout most of Canada, Sphaler would likely be considered a full, proper river, but here in British Columbia generally and out west in particular, this is merely one more creek trickling down from the glaciers of the mighty Coast Mountains. That's not to cut it completely short: Sphaler Creek is still very large, silty, and roaring. Tufa deposits can be easily seen on approach from the air, much of it calcareous and covered with bright green algae. The water carries a sulpheric odour and tends to run warm or tepid. There's nowhere to properly construct soaking pools, but even if there were the water would generally be too cool anyway. Only three of four sources can be found up the north bank of the creek a few metres above the high water mark each, dotting a short distance of around 20m (65ft.)