The Wild Wet West
When picturing the West, most conjure an image of a vast desert landscape: Desolate, with tumbleweeds blowing by in the afternoon. It is hot, it is dry. Life is harsh and unsustainable. Yet, those of the West have a hidden gem that they guard in secrecy - hot springs. The majority of the hot springs in the U.S. are found on the West Coast.
History of Hot Springs in the United States Situated on the Ring of Fire, a meeting point of many tectonic plates that circles most of the Pacific Ocean, the West is full of volcanic activity, activity that has created the giant Mt. Denali, as well as all 13 of the tallest mountains in the U.S. It is also the cause of the many earthquakes and drastic landscapes, where in just a few hours you can be at the lowest point in the continental U.S. (Bad Water Basin, Death Valley National Park), and then the highest point (Mt. Whitney). The Ring of Fire, and its volatility, has led to the best swimming holes in the world. In
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the West, it is cherished, and has sprung a subculture on its own. The culture, known as “Soaking” is varied, and has changed over the centuries, as most things have. Initially hot springs were a place of healing and spirituality to Native Americans. Many grounds sacred to Native Americans are locations of hot springs. They were cared for, maintained, and used for many different types of ceremonies, including births. There are still many fantastic hot springs located on tribal land, and hidden to the public to protect their Native significance. As European settlers moved west, popularity naturally grew. Soon the phrase “Cowboy Bath” was being used to designate springs that were “soakable.” As the world changed in the 1950-60s so did the frequent visitors of springs. Freespirited people, hippies and those wishing to live connected to the earth flocked to springs. They were a naturalist dream, and clothing? Well, that was not a part of
the new hot spring culture. To this day, it is considered acceptable to enjoy a tub with strangers in the nude, for those who dare.
Change for The Worse Over the past two decades, with the rise in internet and geo-locations, hot springs are being enjoyed by increasingly larger amounts of people. The culture has changed again. Now bathing suits are more the norm. Sadly, this influx of visitors has also led to damage, contamination, and long waits to enjoy a soak. It has also led to those within the community to be secretive of their favorite places to soak, and land owners blocking access to locations that used to be open to all. It’s imperative that people respect the springs, and be respectful. So, do you want to travel out West and soak? Well, here are some tips to make sure you have the best time.
