Bailey Hot Spring
Bailey Hot Spring discharges at a scalding 198 degrees Fahrenheit from the remote Tongass National Forest, maintaining temperatures 156.7 degrees above the cool maritime air. The spring emerges in one of the wettest environments in temperate North America, receiving over 133 inches of annual precipitation.
The spring flows from forested slopes at just 450 feet elevation, creating dramatic steam plumes visible from distance in the cool rainforest air. The composition includes notable sodium at 89 milligrams per liter and sulfate at 43 milligrams per liter, producing slightly alkaline water with pH 8.2. The forest canopy frames the thermal feature in dense vegetation characteristic of Southeast Alaska's temperate rainforest.
Access requires backcountry travel more than 8 miles from the nearest road. Float plane or boat reaches the general area, followed by demanding trail travel. The nearby Reflection Lake Cabin provides base camp options. Year-round access is possible but winter conditions increase difficulty significantly.
Bailey Hot Spring formed through the same tectonic processes that shape the wider Tongass region. The groundwater circulates deep beneath the Cleveland Peninsula, heating through geothermal gradient before emerging at the surface where it meets cooler surface conditions.
The water at Bailey Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2) with 413 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview Reflection Lake Cabin is situated on the Cleveland Peninsula at the shore of Reflection Lake approximately 50 air miles from Ketchikan. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its recreation options, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Boats can be moored in Short Bay, and visitors can hike 2.3 miles to the cabin along the...
Bailey Hot Spring requires a hike to reach, so pack light but prepared. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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Springs Near Bailey Hot Spring
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Slightly Alkaline Springs (pH ~8.2)
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