White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)

Sitka City and Borough County, Alaska · Near Sitka
57.8070°N, 136.3410°W · 15 ft
48°F air · Good soaking weather 15 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (0.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

White Sulphur Springs, carried in the record with the alternate name Hooniah H S, lies on Tongass National Forest land some 55 miles out of Sitka. The Forest Service owns the ground and access is open. The oldest thing on file is a water sample from June 1915 showing sulfate and iron among the minerals, at a modest level of total dissolved solids. No temperature was ever entered, which is odd for a place with a cabin named after it, so confirm heat before you count on it.

Location

Barely above the waterline, fifteen feet up. The approach is a four mile hike in from the last road, an unnamed one. White Sulphur Springs Cabin stands a couple hundred yards from the water. Rain is heavy, over nine feet a year, and snow reaches about fourteen feet in a normal winter. Year round the average hovers in the mid forties.

No season is marked as best. The cabin is the obvious base, being practically on top of the spring. The four mile hike is the whole access story, since there is nothing closer than that unnamed road. The water chemistry is more than a century old, and there is no temperature at all, so go expecting a Forest Service cabin with a sulphur spring beside it and let the rest be a surprise. Fees are not recorded.

History of White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)

The water here was sampled on 28 June 1915, and that survey is still the chemistry of record, listing iron and sulfate alongside calcium and chloride. The listing carries two names, White Sulphur Springs and Hooniah H S.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
68 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Monthly Climate
34°
Jan
33°
Feb
35°
Mar
41°
Apr
48°
May
53°
Jun
57°
Jul
57°
Aug
54°
Sep
46°
Oct
38°
Nov
36°
Dec
Annual Precip: 113.2 in Annual Snow: 170.2 in
Current Conditions
48°F
N 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 58° Low 50° Patchy Fog then Light Rain 100% precip
Wednesday 58° Low 53° Heavy Rain 100% precip
Thursday 57° Low 52° Chance Light Rain 36% precip
Friday 56° Low 51° Heavy Rain 100% precip
Saturday 56° Low 50° Rain 100% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1915-06-28

The water at White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) contains 276 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in iron (iron-rich springs may support circulation).

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 9 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Sulfate 35 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 42 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 3100 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
White Sulphur Springs Cabin 0.1 mi away

Overview White Sulphur Springs Cabin is located on the northern shore of Bertha Bay, 65 miles northwest of Sitka, Alaska, on Chichagof Island within the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness Area. The cabin makes an excellent base for experiencing and exploring this corner of Alaska. This is a remote site in a designated Wilderness area. The cabin can be accessed by boat only, weather permitting. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own ameni...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
No data recorded
Avg Air Temp 44°F
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 4.1 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Tongass National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) located?
White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) is located in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska at 15 feet elevation, near Sitka. Coordinates: 57.8070°N, 136.3410°W.
How do I get to White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)?
White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) has Hike road access (4.1 mi from the road).
Is White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) free to visit?
White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S) has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)?
Yes, White Sulphur Springs Cabin is located nearby (0.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at White Sulphur Springs (Hooniah H S)?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 276 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS