Southwest Colorado
The following is an nine day hydrotherapy research adventure in Colorado. One of the best ways to learn about hydrotherapy is connect with water in natural settings, to let Nature be the teacher. This trip begins in Glenwood Springs and then to is an journey to Orvis Hot Springs at the base of San Juan Mountains and finally to Blue Lake, which is a high mountain lake at the tree-line of the San Juan Mountains.
| This is the famous natural hot springs at Glenwood Springs. It is all natural hot springs water that is not treated with any chemicals as it is constantly flowing into and from the pools. Photo Photo |
| A block from Glenwood Hot Springs is Yampa Hot Springs and Vapor Caves. It is the only natural vapor (steam) cave in North America. The caves are natural and natural hot springs water flows through the caves creating a temperature of about 115 F. It is a natural steam room. Photo Photo |
| This is the view from the grounds of Orvis Hot Springs. These are the San Juan Mountains, with the highest peak at about 14,000 feet. At the tree line of these mountains, at about 11,000 feet, is Blue Lake, which is destination of the hike while staying at the hot springs (see photos below) Photo |
| This is the main pool at Orvis
Hot Springs, with a temperature of about 103 F. There are 2 other
outdoor pools and one indoor pool. There is also a sauna and a very hot
small pool (about 112 F). The pools are fed from a hot spring where the
water temperature is about 142 F. Photo
The temperature of the water as it comes out of the ground is 127 F. This page shows the natural mineral content of the water Mineral Content |
| This is the path to Blue Lake. It starts at about 9,000 feel and goes to Blue Lake, which is 11,200 feel. It a is a beautiful, easy hike (except for the lack of oxygen). Photo |
| Water at a very high elevations, brought there by solar power from lower elevations though the process of evaporation (and purification) is now ready to begin it journey, by the force of gravity, to lower elevations. Water at these high altitudes has considerable gravitation energy between this level and sea level. Photo Photo Photo Photo |
| Water from Blue Lake begins to flow over the natural rock formations, dissolving minerals in the process in combinations that are unique to these rocks. Photo Photo Photo |
| These are aspen trees near the stream. Water as it flows to the ocean or evaporates along the way, flows through all living systems, which are part of the natural cycle of water, the hydrologic cycle. Photo |