Olympic Hot Springs closed to visitors due to fatality

Published 4:51 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Olympic Nat’l Park: Hot springs closed due to fatality

Officials said a Silverdale man has died in a hot spring pool within Olympic National Park, prompting the closure of Olympic Hot Springs.

National Park officials said in a news release that rangers responded to a report of a fatality Monday and found Bruce Gunderson, 61, had died in a pool.

Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said although use has always been at the visitor’s discretion, the pools are closed until further notice due to health and safety concerns.

The springs are natural, unmaintained hot water that seeps approximately 2.5 miles from the Boulder Creek Trailhead in the Elwha Valley. The pools are in a wilderness area and not tested or treated by park employees.

Boulder Creek Campground will remain open.

The cause of death is under investigation.