July 14, 2009
Hot Springs Doubleheader, day 4, Melozi Hot Springs
On this day, we had a short hike into our most anticipated camp, Melozi Hot Springs. We were all unsure of what we'd find, and we'd heard tantalizing things, like it was in a condition where it seemed like someone had just left, though the lodge hasn't been a place of business since the 1980s. Kennicott used to be like that, I'd heard, but we were thinking we might see the real deal at Melozi.
But first, another good hike, and a meeting with a northern wheatear, a handsome little fellow.
After a few hours walk, the last bit of it on low tundra, we found Melozi Hot Springs, which features about a dozen structures, including an intact lodge (with no lock on the door), and this fine outbuilding, which seemed to be used as living quarters. Inside here, and all the buildings, were books, magazines, clothes, dishes, silverware, documents of all kinds. It was like a time capsule of the last period anyone lived there, which seemed to be the early 80s. Though I was here in Alaska at that time, it now seems like an awful long time ago.
Jim entertained us by reading aloud the People article on Glen and Tanya from 1980. They seemed to be having a good time, as was Brooke Shields in Cosmo. These mags were on the table in the main lodge building, where we all slept to get away from the mosquitoes. Most of the buildings had intact roofs, which has preserved their contents for a while, and none seemed to be ravaged by bears, which seems like a miracle.
Here we our enjoying some indoor time in the lodge. There were a few old journals around, some with details of a few times that didn't go well out there. I could feel ghosts in this place, so much that I was too chicken to sleep in an outbuilding as I had planned, staying here on the floor with the boys.
A photo on a bulletin board, of people who probably spent a magical few years in this place. The three-wheeler's still in a shed. The airstrip is still there, too, though overgrown. Seems like a Supercub could still make it in, but we didn't walk the length of the strip due to mosquito density and we're not really sure.
Yes! The rumored piano exists! And it's blue, which I didn't know until I saw this photo. Dan plays some, so he tapped out a few melodies while learning that the keys stuck in the down position. Hearing that music really brought the place alive.
And, yeah, this is a hot springs, and the coolest one I've ever seen. More on that tomorrow . . .
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Comments on Hot Springs Doubleheader, day 4, Melozi Hot Springs »
I am in awe and look forward to the next day. Just wish the trip would not end.
Good for you.
Wow! This is so neat! Kind of eerie, but neat too.
Hey Ned,
I can see all of the pictures for the posts of this trip, but none of the maps.
Sounds like a great N/Ed-venture!
Dana
Hey Dana;
I re-did the maps. See if they work for you.
N
Well Hi All:
I first went to Melozi in the summer of 1974 whilenworking with the BLM out of Galena.
As with all I fell in love with the place and bought in with Lenard (Len)n and Pat Verhuseen.
Melozi was my home from those days until the early 80's when I went to work with teh FAA and found myself traveling out of state.
I am gald the place looks as good as it does, and yep the ole Blue Paino was a bugger to get there. I bought it in Galena after the flood of 76 and had to have it slung in (as with many "Deal's" in those days we did a "Trade in Kind" quite aproject as were many of the projects in those days.
Thanks for posting the pictures they bring back many a fonde dau on Hot Springs Creek.
A poiint of intrest: I just receives a ltter from a Michael Travis (mtravis@tpeci.com) who is writing a book on Melozi, he worked with Pat and Len in the summer of 73 so anyone with info may wish to give a hand
thanks again
Tom
The little girl in the picture is me. I am now 27 years old, and would love to provide you more information. Please email me.
Hello,
I am the oldest girl in the picture you posted from the bulletin board. The man is my father and the younger girl is my sister. We are/were the most recent owners until some issues with BLM arose. There is still some confusion there. I and my family don't mind you being there and enjoyong it, it is very nice to know others appreciate it. However, perhaps out of consideration you could refrain from giving such obvious directions inviting people to come and steal or vandalize. Letting people know about the contents in a remote area and its exact location in a public forum like the internet is just asking for trouble.
Also, did you leave the journals there? They are my mother's, and I'm sure she would like them back if you did remove them.
Finally, a note for safety:
The runway is NOT usable even by a Super Cub. During the major flooding many years ago the creek rose up and overran the runway, cutting a huge ditch to run down the middle for most of the length. I would not recommend anyone trying to land unless they want to either die or seriously damage their plane.
My Uncle Bob Moore worked on this site with Pat and Len.
I'm sure that he would really appreciate seeing this site now. He passed away in mid 1980's.
No wonder why he like Alaska….absolutely beautiful.
That's not a Supercub in that picture. It's a PA-12, her name is Ursa. It's sitting my garage for repairs.
I'm glad to see you had a good time there. I've never had the chance to visit.
To Bonnie
HI, Bonnie -
I'm the guy Tommy Dome said is writing a book about Melozi. I'm almost done, but I would love to interview about your uncle Bob. Rumor has it that he might have adopted the Veerhusens' dog Happy after they died. Do you know anything about that?
Sincerely,
Mike
I was there about two weeks before you. A friend of mine from NJ and I landed our Cubs on the strip. It's short but still works. Been going in since the mid 90's and showering in the springs under the bluff during moose hunting season. First time there during misquote season. Tried to shower but was covered by misquotes in 2 seconds flat.
The place has really run down since the first time there. Too bad it's going to pot.
Greg
Hey Greg Et Al;
Glad to hear yu were able to get your Cub in, the "Strip" was a continual pain as would wash out with the Spring runoff's and again with the Fall rains, it was a challenge getting in and out with our ole 182 and 206.
I just got back from Oklahoma and have brought up a unch of "proof Sheets" of pictures of the springs from the 70's when I was running the place,a couple of neat ones of the July 4th party of 78, we had an Otter, a couple of 180's our 182 and 206 a 170, a Maul and YEP and Islander, (the only time there was a Twin on the strip at melozi, Steve Phelps who was flying for Norm Yeager at the time brought it in, needless to say the strip was in the best shape it had ever been. I would love to get the pictures digitized the kinda of really capture Melozi "Back in the day"
To Michael Travis
Sorry, If he had their dog I never new about it. I lived in Maryland and when he last visited in early 80's he didn't mentin it. I only found out about Melozi Springs after reading an old letter of his to my mother (his sister) in the '70's.
I do know he loved Alaska, had several wives, loved to drink (hence the several wives)and had many friends. My parents had a great time meeting all those friends when the went to visit him.
I have the time now, I wish he was still around to show me the areas he loved to work at in AK
Sorry couldn't be more help.
Bonnie
Thanks for the info! I plan on heading in this summer. Cheers!
i am the person who wrote in the diary 1983. I still think
about maelozi the beauty, the mystery. if only…
Just got back to California after being on helicopter fire assignment and was reviewing my flight path when I cam across this web Page, I flew helicopters for BLM survey crews in '76 and '77 out of Melozi Hot Springs. I fondly remember Pat making breakfast for the survey/helicopter crews "anyway you wanted" but you got them the way she made them - "Hot on a plate". Oh well.. I also remember that the cabins actually had flush toilets, powered by water pressure built up by a "water hammer" device that pumped the hot mineral water uphill, and into the system. Very interesting sittin on the pot with 110 degree water underneath you. When I flew over the cabins last weekend on Fire Patrol, it was sad to see them as they are now. Wish someone could open them back up. Rick
Hi Travis
Any more details about your book about the Melozi? Would love to read it as I can call myself so lucky to have visited the Hot Springs twice in my life already…
Is it available somewhere?
Cheers, Roman