Unnamed Thermal Spring
A warm spring at 2,702 feet elevation near Elgin in Union County, Oregon, classified as 'W' in historical records without specific temperature data. The spring sits just 14 feet from the nearest road, making it one of the most accessible roadside thermal features in the Blue Mountains foothills. The area receives 30.8 inches of annual precipitation and 79.3 inches of snow.
The spring emerges in the foothill transition zone between the Grande Ronde Valley and the Blue Mountains at moderate elevation. The landscape consists of mixed conifer forest and grassland meadows typical of northeastern Oregon's interior valleys. Average annual air temperature reaches 48.6°F, with the region receiving substantial winter snowfall. Summit Guard Station Bunkhouse, an 18.6-kilometer distant Civilian Conservation Corps structure from 1938, serves as the nearest developed campground facility on the Meacham Canyon breaks.
Documentation traces to the 1980 NOAA thermal springs inventory, though specific historical use records are limited in the current dataset. The spring's location near Elgin, a timber and ranching community established in the 1880s, suggests potential historical use by early settlers and Indigenous peoples of the Grande Ronde region. Current status and ownership details are not specified in available records.
Access requires minimal effort from the roadside location. The site sits in an area that receives nearly 80 inches of snow annually, making winter access potentially difficult. Spring through fall offer optimal visiting conditions when roads remain clear. Elevation at 2,702 feet means moderate altitude effects. The Summit Guard Station Bunkhouse provides nearby lodging options for extended stays in the Blue Mountains.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Summit Guard Station Bunkhouse sets the stage for a truly relaxing getaway. Located on the breaks of Meacham Canyon in Umatilla National Forest, spectacular views of the Blue Mountains are guaranteed. The rustic bunkhouse, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, dates back to 1938. The site of the cabin was the Summit Ranger Station in 1908, when the land was part of the Wenaha National Forest. Wenaha was one of the first national forests in the country, established in 1907. It w...