Discovering an Autonomous Solar Spa in the Wilderness
The sun was still rising in the sky and my new backpack felt light on my hips as my friend Jenny and I eagerly embarked on our latest wilderness adventure. Armed with only a cryptic clue from a trusted friend – "pack a towel" – and some GPS coordinates, we were excited to discover what lay ahead.
When we'd parked our EV at the trailhead, there hadn't been any other cars - we were the first ones on the trail, and we'd be heading off-piste so were unlikely to encounter anyone else. This was the escape I'd been hoping for after not having left the city for a few months - just us and the sun, sky, trees, plants and animals.
About seven hours in, we scrambled up a steep rise - according to our GPS, we were getting closer to our destination. The forest began to open up and we saw a high mountain river flanked by towering coniferous trees. We could hardly believe our eyes: about 20 feet from the river a collection of wooden-clad soaking tubs, a cylindrical metal tank, and a solar array sat nestled into a sun-dappled clearing.
As we approached, we discovered a wooden box adorned with a fox carving and a set of laminated instructions inside:
After you flip the switch to ON, the pump will fill the tubs in about 10 minutes and be ready for you to enjoy. Please turn the pump off when the tubs are at your desired depth.
If no water is flowing, follow a pair of long black hoses and check if either is obstructed.
Near the intake you’ll find a deep eddy pool where you can take cold plunges.
Please drain the water after you are done by pulling a lever marked "drain" on the side of each tub.
If you want to top up your tub with hot water, drain small amounts of water and turn the hot water supply back on.
I flipping the switch to test the system and a slight humming started coming from the tubs. Jenny went over and shifted the lid on both the tubs, sticking her hand down to confirm that hot water was flowing. We wasted no time setting up camp and exploring the surrounding area. The untouched beauty of the forest, the gentle breeze through the trees, and the gentle chirps of birds filled us with a sense of calm and contentment.
While exploring the hot tubs, I found a plaque with the names of a dozen people who had apparently made this mountain spa experience possible - noting that the date was almost a year ago to the day. "To brightening the world with sustainably- powered delights" read the inscription under the names. I was curious how they'd managed to trek all these pieces in - I'd have to ask my friend who'd given us the GPS coordinates.
As evening approached, the temperature started dropping with the sun and Jenny went to started filling the tubs. We cooked a one-pot supper with beans, cheese, peppers, Mexican seasoning and tortillas on our camping stove. The comforting aroma of our meal wafted through the air as we noticed steam beginning to rise from vents on the tub covers. I couldn't wait to get in.
With supper finished, it was time to uncover the tubs. We lifted the covers and were met with billowing clouds of steam. We stripped off our clothes and, with a sense of wild abandon, each climbed into our own tub. The 110-degree water enveloped us in a warm, tingling embrace, soothing our weary muscles and washing away any lingering stress.
As the sky above us transitioned from vibrant oranges and pinks to deep blues and purples, a canopy of stars emerged to keep us company. The juxtaposition of the warm water, cool night air, and dazzling celestial display created an unforgettable, otherworldly experience.
We spent hours alternating between the tubs and the river's cold plunge, talking, laughing, and appreciating the rare gift of this secret woodland retreat. Our friend's cryptic clue had led us to a hidden gem that we would never forget.
As I toweled off and prepared for bed, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. This serendipitous adventure had not only brought us closer to nature but also reminded us of the power of friendship and the joy of the unexpected.