At Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the water isn’t just water. The naturally heated, geothermal goodness comes from the on-site source spring known as Yampah Spring, which generates an impressive 3.5 million gallons of water daily.
This unique water that flows into the world’s largest hot springs pool is distilled deep within the ground and features more than 15 different minerals, each with their own unique benefits to humans. The source for Yampah Spring is south of the Colorado River in the Lookout Mountain and Grand Hogback areas. The healing hot springs water percolates through fractures in the bedrock formation into the Leadville aquifer. As this occurs, the water is heated by the geothermal gradient in the area.
There is history in this water
Long ago, the Ute people of what is now western Colorado named the spring Yampah, meaning big medicine. They considered hot springs sacred, incorporating soaking as part of their tribal rituals, and understood the power of hot springs long before scientists discovered the nuances of cellular biology and biochemistry. It was not uncommon for the Utes to bathe themselves and their horses in the hot springs in preparation for battle.
In Glenwood Springs’ early days, Walter Devereux opened Glenwood Hot Springs Pool on July 4, 1888, launching the community as one of Colorado’s earliest tourist destinations. Devereux would surely be surprised knowing there is now a Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop featuring 23 hot springs attractions in western Colorado alone, including Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Understanding the science
Science shows that even though skin is a formidable barrier, it’s also permeable and porous, allowing trace amounts of minerals to pass through when people soak in natural hot springs water. Each of the 15 minerals found in the Rocky Mountain water at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort—boron, calcium, chloride, fluoride, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, silica, sodium, sulfate and zinc—possess unique qualities. Together they deliver a small, safe and healthful dose while soaking.
By simply relaxing in the pool at Glenwood Hot Spring Resort, the minerals are passively absorbed in the skin and have been known to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, skin disorders, depression and more. In addition, soaking in warm water also has been known to relieve aches and pain, plus increases in body temperature can help naturally eliminate toxins, increase circulation and reduce blood pressure.
The resort also has a drinking spring for sipping Yampah Spring water that will reopen early this summer after renovations.
To find out more about the science of hot springs water and the overall topic of balneotherapy, go to the Global Wellness Institute’s website. The institute defines balneotherapy as “using natural thermal and mineral waters as a healing approach, which is studied medically as balneotherapy and has a history of over 4,000 years and is used all over the world as part of traditional therapies.” In addition, balneotherapy “refers to the use of thermal water and waters with minerals, salts, sulfur, and other organic elements as an approach for treating conditions ranging from pain to stress.”
How to indulge in the hot springs
The water from Yampah Spring is approximately 122°F (51°C), so it is cooled down for human enjoyment at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. While the recently redesigned Therapy Pool is kept at a warmer 104°F (40°C), the Grand Pool is 90° to 93°F (32° to 34°C) for lounging, playing, swimming laps and going off the diving board.
The opportunity to benefit from the science of hot springs water and savor the beautiful mountain surroundings is about to get even grander as Glenwood Hot Springs Resort opens the pool’s new east end early this summer. As part of a multiyear plan to continue thoughtful stewardship and add amenities for guests, the expansion is adding five new pools of varying temperatures and configurations (including waterfalls and natural stone grottos) that will be filled with the nourishing Yampah Spring water. In fact, the mother spring is located on the east end and will be more of a visual focus at the resort with new landscaping and signage.
The east end expansion will give guests even more room to spread out, enjoy the geothermal water, and find your own space for relaxation and contemplation. The east end was created with adults in mind while Sopris Splash Zone on the west end is ideal for families and the historic Grand Pool and Therapy Pool in the center appeal to all ages.
Take a water break at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and drink in the magic of soothing your mind, body and spirit in warm water while surrounded by mountain vistas accompanied by rising steam and perhaps beautiful sunshine, snowflakes gently falling or stars twinkling overhead. The science of hot springs water, gorgeous setting and convenient location are sure to keep you coming back for more.