Serpentine Hot Springs
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Traditional Use
This valley, with its imposing granite spires and bubbling,
sulphurous, hot water pools, has
long been recognized as a place of spiritual significance. The
surrounding, strangely shaped
rock outcrops, or "Tors," are said to have once had individual
names.
People of this area hunt, trap, bathe, and conduct traditional
healing practices near the hot springs.
Inupiat traditions say that the valley is the home of powerful
spirits. These spirits play important
roles in the selection, training, education, and performance of
shamans -- those people who cure
the sick, as well as use and control supernatural forces.
Charles McLennan arrived by dog team in May 1900 and may have
been the first non-native to
have seen the hot springs. McLennan staked mining claims and
raised vegetables for miners
who were working claims along the Kougarok River, 10 miles
south.A small settlement and "resort" called Arctic Hot Springs developed and became popular with the miners during the early 1900's.
The airstrip probably dates from the early 1940's and the large cabin sleeping accomodations from the late 1940's. The bathhouse was built by the village of Shishmaref in the mid 1970's.
People come to Serpentine Hot Springs to bathe, relax, hike, and
observe wildlife. Traditional
healing
practices rooted in Inupiaq culture are still practiced today.
Each year the Traditional Medicine
Program
of the Maniilaq Association, based in Kotzebue, holds sessions at
the hot springs.The site is a rest stop and shelter for winter travelers. It plays an important role in the ongoing subsistence activities of local residents, especially the villagers of Shishmaref.
Many remnants of previous human occupation survive today. Stone
tools suggest that ancient
hunters were here thousands of years ago. Separately, these
tools are like pieces of a puzzle.
Together they let us glimpse into the past and tell us about
those who came before. If a site is
disturbed, this information is lost or destroyed and the story is
incomplete or inaccurate.All artifacts and sites are protected by law. It is a felony to damage or disturb cultural sites, or to purchase, possess or transport materials from these sites. These laws are aggressively enforced and carry penalties. You can help save Alaska's past by reporting looting or trafficking to the Preserve headquarters in Nome.
The temperature of the water can range from 140 - 170 ° F. Winter ice builds up around the bathhouse, making footing treacherous. Alcohol increases the danger of slipping on ice. It can impair the body's ability to respond appropriately to heat or cold, increasing the possibility of scalding or hypothermia. Remember, medical attention can be days, or even weeks away.
Serpentine Hot Springs has always had a casual, relaxed, and sharing atmosphere. All who found their way to the springs shared the responsibility of caring for the facilities. Each person left the area in such a condition which contributed to the next person's enjoyment. The National Park Service and the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve encourages newcomers to respect this tradition. The reward will be a truly unique and memorable experience.
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