History of
Scenic Hot Springs
1891 ➞
Hot springs are discovered near Stevens Pass by Great Northern Railway survey workers (although their existence was probably known long before then by Indigenous peoples, who camped, hunted, and foraged in the area surrounding Skykomish).
1898 - 1900 ➞
I.G. McCain purchases the 200-acre property on which Madison Hot Springs is located. McCain constructs the Great Northern Hot Springs Hotel, which accommodates 50 guests. Most are visitors from Seattle who come to enjoy mineral baths, and the hotel soon becomes a well-known resort destination.
1892 - 1897 ➞
Known as Madison Hot Springs, the springs become popular among the railway construction workers, particularly the Japanese. Living in a primitive construction camp, railway workers have no town or entertainment in the area, so they spend their free time hiking up the mountain and soaking in the hot springs.
1903 ➞
In November, J.V. Prosser and George Murphy purchased the Great Northern Hot Springs Hotel for $19,000 cash. They increase the capacity from 50 to 100 guests and change the name to Scenic Hot Springs Hotel. It’s one of the country’s finest hot spring resorts, available only to the elite and those of upper class standing.
1908 ➞
The hotel burns down in December, and Mr. Prosser is badly burned while trying to save some of his valuables.
1909 - 1925 ➞
A new hotel is constructed in six months. During this era, hot spring water is piped 1½ miles from its mountainside source to the hotel, traveling downhill through wooden pipes. While hotel guests soak in tubs, Japanese and migrant laborers face discrimination and are forbidden to use hotel facilities. Railroad workers hike up the mountain and create their own soaking pools closer to the source.
1925 - 1929 ➞
Scenic Hot Springs Hotel is purchased by the Great Northern Railway in order to house its company executives during the construction of the Cascade Tunnel.
1929 ➞
When the Cascade Tunnel is completed, it’s the longest tunnel in the United States. After project completion, the town of Scenic fades as work dries up and people move away. Scenic Hot Springs Hotel is destroyed in 1929, but hot springs visitors continue to hike and camp in the area.
1950s ➞
A 1½ mile forestry road is added to the area, shortening the hike up the steep trail and attracting thousands of visitors to Scenic Hot Springs each year. Despite the road and increased access, Scenic Hot Springs remains natural for the most part until the 1970s.
1959 ➞
Rodney and Barbara Loveless purchase the Scenic Hot Springs property, planning to pipe the hot spring water down to a 13-acre property on Highway 2 for a ski-and-hot-springs lodge. They later abandon the plan for financial reasons.
1963 ➞
The Great Western Pacific Inc. purchases the hot springs in April, later changing its name to Scenic Hot Springs LLC. They will own the property for the next 41 years.
1986 ➞
Dozens of volunteers upgrade a mud pot at the main spring area into a pool, naming it Monster pool, with the intention of slowing/stopping erosion from the heavy user traffic. This pool still exists in its original location today.
1994 - 1996 ➞
Due to Scenic’s increasing popularity, volunteers build a series of wooden decks and stairways to make the area more accessible. Another primitive soaking pool is upgraded.
2001 ➞
Despite efforts by the owners of Scenic Hot Springs to control the worsening condition of the hot springs, the remote location makes it expensive and difficult to maintain. In October, King County, citing health and safety violations, make code enforcements on Scenic Hot Springs and force its closure. Three pools and decks are torn down. The destruction of the pools is carried out by the King County Sheriff’s Department. Monster pool is allowed to remain in use and is maintained by volunteers.
2002 ➞
Over 3,000 people sign a petition calling for the pools to be restored, which they say will "protect a part of the hot water ecosystem and culture of Washington's precious natural heritage." Scenic Hot Springs LLC reviews the situation and seeks someone with experience and solutions to build a hot spring facility that will preserve and promote the natural features.
2004 ➞
Scenic Hot Springs is purchased by Sea to Sky Onsen (USA) Inc.
2005 ➞
Volunteer groups are still allowed to continue their efforts to maintain historic trails and protect springs through donations and voluntary contributions.
2007 ➞
King County DDES decides to allow Grandfathering of three hot spring pools if and only if they are to be renovated to the same size, using natural stone materials, in their historical locations. (Critical Areas Designation L05SA601)
2008 ➞
KC Public Health determines that the hot springs ponds proposed for renovation into Scenic Hot Springs are to be designated as natural hot spring “bathing beaches” under applicable provisions of the Washington State Aquatic Recreation Facilities Act, Chapter 246-26 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). A “bathing beach” is defined in WAC 246-260-010 as follows: “Bathing beach” means a bathing place, together with building and appurtenances, on a natural pond, lake, stream, or other body of fresh or salt water that is open to the public for bathing by express permission of owner, operated for a fee, or openly advertised as a place for bathing by the public.
2016 ➞
Monster pool is vandalized and destroyed by illegal trespassers.Three temporary plastic bathtubs are installed by volunteers.
2024 ➞
Monster pool is restored, replacing the plastic tubs with stone and natural materials.
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RESERVATIONS
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Important Points
The Scenic Hot Springs trailhead is located about 10 miles east of the town of Skykomish, and the hot springs themselves are at the end of a 2-mile uphill hike with 1100 feet of elevation gain. This is a challenging hike that requires adequate fitness and appropriate outdoor clothing & equipment.
↘ Travel time from Seattle is approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
↘ Do not leave valuables in plain sight and be sure to lock up your vehicle.
↘ NO PETS ALLOWED. Due to county health regulations, pets are prohibited on the Scenic Hot Springs property. Visitors with pets will be escorted off the property immediately, and local authorities will be alerted if pet owners are not cooperative.