Harrison Hot Springs Resort

This was a popular spot right on the lake, a favourite because of the hot spring pools. It was obvious from the layout of the buildings, that they were constructed at different times. Although they were connected by long hallways, I felt like I was in a rabbit warren when walking from one side of the resort to the other.

Harrison Hot Springs’ pools

I’d hiked for over an hour. It was time to pamper myself in Harrison Hot Springs pools. There were both indoor and outdoor pools and I decided to venture into the outdoors in spite of the icy day.

Whippoorwill Point Loop

I’d already ascended from Sandy Cove, so what the heck, I thought, I might as well continue along the trail. There was no one to disturb my temporary ownership except the occasional call of a bird.

Sandy Cove Beach

Tucked away from Harrison Hot Springs was Sandy Cove Beach. It may have only been about a kilometre up and down a winding path, but it seemed like a world away. I met no one along the trail but when I arrived at the beach, a flock of birds took off, their wings clapping the air.

Sandy Cove trail

Past the source of Harrison Hot Springs, was Sandy Cove Trail. Because it was the tail end of autumn, leaves covered the path making it difficult to find the way in some sections. Alder and broad leaf maple leaves were strewn up the slope of the rising path.

The source

From the hotel resort, the source of Harrison Hot Springs was only a couple of hundred metres away. When I’d walked to the spot twenty years ago, it had appeared as nothing more than a rocky smoky pool of bubbling water not much bigger than a king size bed; at least that’s how I remembered it.

Along Harrison Lake

It was a miserable one degree when I arrived at Harrison Hot Springs. Before the sun set, I walked along the frigid shoreline of Harrison Lake. I couldn’t see the lake’s end because it was a long narrow body of water with the Lillouette River flowing into it from the opposite end.

Held up on a highway

Once I passed the blueberry farms on the way to Harrison Hot Springs, I drove back on to the road, but a train I thought would never end blocked the highway. I joined a long line of waiting cars before I noticed the slough that I’d peeked at from the opposite side to the blueberry farms.

Retracing steps from two decades past

After more than two decades, I headed to Harrison Hot Springs, the well known B.C. resort. I planned two nights of pampered relaxation as an early birthday present to myself.