Although the Ute Indians were the first ones to enjoy the hot springs on the property, the geothermal waters were first tapped for commercial use in 1925 for a healing sanitarium. Our hot springs in Ouray have been used ever since for the relaxing enjoyment of people for decades. Today, the Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs occupies a portion of that sanitarium and now offers outdoor mineral hot springs tubs terraced on the mountainside immediately behind the lodge. Each of four redwood tubs offer a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Revitalizing in these hot springs in this scenic setting is popular year-round. The temperatures in the hot tubs range between 103 and 108 degrees. Since the hot springs water is constantly flowing in and out, replacing itself every 24 hours, there is no need to use chemicals in our hot springs. Since children are usually present at the lodge, bathing suits are required when using the hot tubs. The hot springs water is used throughout the motel for heating during the winter months.
Although we don’t circulate the hot springs water for domestic use, we use it to heat our domestic water through the use of custom-built heat exchangers. As a local geologist has explained, as ground water from rain or melting snow seeps down into the earth’s crust, it is heated and rises through the fault structure to the earth’s surface. Unlike many other hot springs you find elsewhere, the hot springs in Ouray do not contain sulfur and, therefore, do not have an unpleasant odor. The composition of the water shows that it is unusually high in sodium, manganese, iron, and sulfates. The temperature of the water as it comes out of the ground is around 140 degrees Fahrenheit, remaining at a fairly constant temperature throughout the year. The temperature of the water in the tubs is maintained between 103 and 108 degrees by limiting the flow of hot springs water into each tub. Neither cold water nor chemicals are used in the tubs. Although there are several springs which surface on our property, the one which supplies the water for the hot tubs is visible from the redwood walkway above the two lower tubs.
On cool days, and especially in the winter, you can see steam rising from the spring. The reddish deposits on the hillside below the spring have resulted from the many minerals contained in the water. The flow varies only slightly throughout the year. The spring generally flows at about 15 gallons per minute, although the flow is slightly greater in July and August. Besides the Box Canyon Lodge, only two motels and one or two individuals have rights to geothermal water. The City of Ouray owns all remaining hot water rights and is the most extensive user in the area, operating the million-gallon hot springs public pool at the north end of Ouray. The hot springs water is used throughout the lodge for heating during the winter months. Although we do not circulate the hot springs water for domestic use, we use it to heat our domestic water through the use of custom-built heat exchangers. No, but this is not because of dangerous chemicals or minerals. It is not advisable to drink the water just as it is not a good idea to drink water from a flowing mountain stream.
A complete chemical analysis of the Box Canyon Lodge hot springs water follows on the next page. A copy of this is available in the office for anyone who is interested.Winter at the Box Canyon Lodge is a special time, and soaking in the tubs as snow quietly blankets the city is truly a memorable experience. The hot springs are available for guest use every day from 8:00am until 10:00pm. We do not allow people to use our hot springs unless they stay with us. Certainly the lady who visited the Cogar Sanitarium in the early 1900’s thought so and many of our guests would agree. Most definitely there’s no better way to revitalize after a full day of skiing, hiking, four-wheeling, or snowmobiling. Our chemical analysis of the water was checked a number of years ago.Gordon & Grant Hot Tubs and Spas Gordon & Grant provides Santa Barbara and surrounding areas with hot tubs and spas that allow those who spend time in them the chance to carry on the hot water tradition Gordon & Grant started in 1974.
Each Gordon & Grant Hot Tub is constructed from the finest Western Red Cedar or Redwood available: Clear, all heart, vertical grain and kiln dried. Gordon & Grant is an authorized spa dealer of: Jacuzzi®, Marquis® Spas, Sundance® Spas, Artesian® Garden Spas, and TidalFit® Swim Spas. Visit our showroom and determine which spa is the perfect choice. Gordon & Grant offers a variety of in-ground spa installations. Our most popular in-ground spa models are the Baja Conquistador, Santa Rosa, Redondo, and LuvTub. Settle into a Finnleo Sauna and let its warmth go to work. Just feel those muscles relax and the aches and tension fade away. Calories are burned and your skin feels renewed; you breathe clearly and deeply. The History of Gordon & Grant In 1974, Gary Gordon and Richard Grant were good friends and sailing partners who often spent time with friends in an old wine vat used as a wooden hot tub on Mountain Drive. They decided they needed to have one of their own.
Young, ambitious and looking to have a good time, they went ahead and drew up plans to build one. It was a success and they began building hot tubs for their friends. And friends of friends. Both Gary and Richie suddenly looked around one day and realized they had a business going. Their business became a success and stayed successful. Today, Gary Gordon still runs Gordon & Grant Hot Tubs and Spas in Santa Barbara, California. A second Gordon & Grant location was established in 1990 in Old Town Goleta. While Redwood hot tubs are continually built onsite in the downtown location and remain a popular option, vertical grain cedar has been added as a more affordable and readily available option for customers who still enjoy the traditional wood spa. In addition to building and maintaining wooden hot tubs for customers, Gordon & Grant also sells and provides services for various brands of acrylic portable spas, including Jacuzzi®, Marquis®, Sundance® and TidalFit® swim spas.