Oscar's hot springs pages -- photos page 1

Oscar's Hot Springs Photos
(page 1 of 6)

This is the first page of a six-page collection of photos of some of the hot springs I've visited, in various places in the western U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), and in Puerto Rico.

All photos on this and the following pages are mine, unless otherwise noted.

This page has pictures from Colorado hot springs, mainly from my road trip there in mid-summer 2002, but with one from late summer 1998. Most are from my favorite, Valley View in south central Colorado. There are also two from the lesser-known Rico, in the southwest corner of the state.

Page 2 has photos of hot springs and steam caves in Hawaii, taken October 1999 and May 2000 (~265K download). Page 3 has photos of some hot springs in Alaska, taken June-July 2001 (~315K download). Page 4 has photos of a pair of hot springs in Puerto Rico, taken September 2002 (~95K download). Page 5 has photos of some hot springs in California, taken on several visits there between 1998 and 2003 (~222K download). Page 6 has photos of some hot springs in Arizona and New Mexico, taken in fall 1998 and summer 2002 (~122K download, some artistic nudity).

NOTE: In case you want more detail, you can click any photo below to view an enlarged, higher-quality (less .jpg compression) version. Those alternate versions have larger file sizes, so please be patient while they download.


The gorgeous view of the San Luis Valley from the middle "top pool" at Valley View Hot Springs in southern Colorado. The group of three top pools, at the uppermost reaches of the property, requires a short, somewhat strenuous high-altitude (starting from about 8700 ft.) hike, but it's worth it! (June 2002)

Two more views of the valley from the top pools, looking down from the middle top pool past the lower top pool (above left), and a view of parts of all three top pools from the uppermost pool (above right). (Both photos June 2002)
	The popular upper top pool, looking upward from the middle pool which receives some of the upper pool's outflow. (August 1998)

Valley View's large "party pool" offers room for dozens of soakers, only a short easy walk from the lodges and campsites. (Both photos June 2002)

Two of the lesser-used pools on the Valley View property are the "fountain pool" (above left, with Colleen and her daughter Cory), and the shallow "meadow pool" (above right), uphill from the party pool on a trail branching off from the steeper and longer trail to the top pools. (Both photos June 2002)
	Valley View also has a conventional swimming pool, though filled with natural hot water. This photo was taken during the weekly pool cleaning, just about the only time in the summer the pool area isn't crowded with bathers, and shows the sharp transition between the shallow and deep ends. To the left are the restroom facilities, and what would later become the new sauna. (June 2002)

The water of Rico Hot Spring, a short drive off state route 145 south from Telluride, has a high metallic content, leaving colorful deposits from the outflow. The water looks unattractive but reportedly is not a health hazard -- horseflies are a greater concern, at least in the summer. (June 2002)	In addition to the tub at Rico, someone thoughtfully set up a changing area with benches. (June 2002)