Austin Hot Springs (186F)
Address:
Estacada, Oregon, USA
Category: Hot Springs-unsoakable
GPS GeoCoords: 45.019214N, 122.003261W
Austin HS is located on PRIVATE PROPERTY and at this time is not open to the public. nwforests.org is the conservantancy group involved with trying to clean-up and rehabilitate Austin. If you would like to help with a cleanup or in some other manner, please contact them for further information.
I have been to Austin three times, and involved in two cleanups . . . all with permission. Austin suffers from a bad group image, people who don't care and will rip and tear the forest apart for their own private garbage dump.
The springs are actually in the river and there is a tremendous outflow of 186F scalding water that only the mixing with the cold water of the Clackamas can make tolerable. Pools have been made by moving river rocks around to mix the spring and river waters. This place could make a wonderful soaking opportunity if given the chance to recover and be purchased by a caring group.
Rick
Please don't ask me for proper directions. The geo Coords are easily available . . . what is not, is where to turn.
