Hot Springs + Mountain Lookouts {Nakusp, British Columbia}

After a few days at Glacier National Park in Montana, LeAna I crossed the border into BC. We drove west to Nelson for Shambhala Music Festival (which was glorious) and then north to Nakusp for some time with nature. Yes, I thoroughly enjoy a good festival with 15,000 of my best friends, but some quiet time is necessary after five days of head banging bass beats.

Although, come to find out, these particular hot springs are a hot spot for post-festival relaxation. Next time we’ll go *before* the festival. But I digress…

Halfway Hot Springs are several natural pools tucked along the bank of the Halfway River (so, appropriately named springs I think). We counted about 10 pools tucked into different spots along the river which made it easy to socialize or to go find a soak with nothing but the sound of wind and birds.

There are plenty of free camp sites up a steep path from the river so access to the springs is easy.

One day we decided to take a break from soaking and go explore to move our bodies a bit. Hiking up Saddle Mountain is rigorous, but totally worth it for the views. It’s not a long hike, only about 3 miles, but there’s over 2,200 feet of elevation gain. A relatively mild walk through an old growth forest becomes switchbacking up to some crazy rock fall once you hit the tree line.

Thankfully we had the wherewithal to bring a couple of beers and snacks. And, of course, our cameras to document the majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

The photo below is from St. Leon Hot Springs that is in the same area as Halfway Hot Springs. Totally worth the tumultuous drive down a very bumpy road to hang out in this guitar shaped pool for a bit.