Since our site was not far into the campground we decided to back out rather than go all the way through to the turnaround at the end. Besides, it is one of the smallest turnaround areas we've seen and Steve figured it could be tricky for us...easier to just back out. All of the Class A coaches we've seen drive in instead of walking in looking for a spot had to disconnect their toads to make the turn around.
It was about 10:00 by the time we pulled out of the campground and continued north on the Alaska Highway. We are going to have a short travel day today since Liard Hot Springs is only about 60 kms/38 miles away. We stopped at Muncho Lake RV Park, paid our $10 and emptied our holding tanks...then we were on our way.
It was a beautiful travel day and the scenery was spectacular...
Approaching the Liard River...
Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park has 53 campsites and a huge day-use parking area. At the gatehouse, we asked for a site for the night, maybe two and were told that they only had sites available for one night because a big caravan was coming in tomorrow and taking all of the sites. We were given the choice of camping in the day-use parking lot or taking one night in the campground. Either way, we were to find a spot and then come back and pay.
The day-use parking lot was already packed with big RV's, some camping but most just stopping to enjoy the hot springs for the day. We found a spot to pull over and got our for a walk...deciding that the parking lot wasn't going to work for us, we headed the short distance over to the campground. We were pleasantly surprised to find that most of the sites are a good size...suitable for larger RVs...all are back-in. The only issue would the ability to maneuver the fifth-wheel back into them. The road is one-way so consequently not overly wide...that coupled with some narrow driveways with sloping drop-offs makes backing into them tricky. Some were even angled wrong...but smaller RVs (i.e. truck campers, vans or small motorhomes) would have no problem. At this time of day (noonish), there were plenty of sites to choose from. We picked one that we figured would work and Steve walked back to get the rig while I stayed at the site.
After a try at that site, we gave up...Steve just didn't have maneuvering room...so we continued a short distance and found site #15 that was much easier to back into. We got all leveled off, remaining hitched up to the truck. We decided that one night here would be sufficient...we would visit the hot springs this afternoon and then continue on tomorrow.
I did the "minimal setup" since we were just overnighting it and then we walked back to the gatehouse to let them know what site we had taken and pay the $21/per night fee...which also included admission to the hot springs.
Back at the site, we had lunch and then decided to take a walk to the hot springs...we will explore the area, take pictures and then go back again later with our swim suits. The trailhead to the pools starts at the day-use parking lot...it is a 500 meter/one-third mile walk along a lovely boardwalk through a marsh. 
The boardwalk continues past Alpha pool...now, the literature we have (Milepost and pamphlet from the park) indicates that Beta pool is a further .6 km/.4 mile walk but we could not find it (we found out later that the other pool is no longer open)...
...the trail ends at the Hanging Basket Garden (at least I think that is what it was called)...
Another view of Alpha pool as we return...
The deck and changehouse is new...constructed last fall...
On our way back to our site, we walked around the campground loop looking for the nearest water tap...there are 2 water sources for the campground. One tap at the entrance and once at the end of the far loop...closer to us...BUT...given our luck, that one was out of order...sheesh! Well, we needed water on board, so Steve made three 10 minute return trips with the 5 gallon container back to the entrance filling the container and pumping it into the trailer...when he was finished, we had 15 gallons of fresh water in our tank...plenty for washing dishes and showering since we were only staying the one night. On one trip back, he sprayed himself well with Muskol...yup, lots of mosquitoes at the pump!
At about 4:00 we donned our swim suits and headed to the hot springs. Along the way, we met Courtenay with Kermit the frog. He is from Georgia on his way to attend the University of Fairbanks. Well, as many people do, he is documenting his journey via Kermit's adventures. He mentioned his FaceBook account but unfortunately, I couldn't find it.
This end of the hot springs has the coolest water...the water gets hotter and hotter as you go towards the other end...
That's the really hot end...I was amazed...no way could I get anywhere near...not even half way, it was that hot!
We spent about a half hour or so at the hot springs and then headed home. The water is very warm, so you really can't spend a lot of time in it.
Now it was time for a little relaxing outside...with our bug zappers...there are a few mosquitoes around...
The hot spring looked lovely. Good you were at least able to get one night.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been one large caravan heading to Alaska. I can't even begin to imagine traveling with a caravan...not my idea of fun.