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Mystery Photo 66 Revealed: Rusty Springs Aka Iron Mike

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By Rebecca Latson - September 22nd, 2022

Anybody up for a nice little soak in Rusty Springs? Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson

Across the park road from the Longmire Historic District in Mount Rainier National Park is the Trail of Shadows, where you’ll encounter several rocked-in mineral springs, one of which is aptly named Rusty Springs (aka Iron Mike Spring). The orange-red color comes from iron minerals dissolved by the hot mineral water and oxidized to create the bright “mineral paint.”

Upon discovery of these hot mineral springs, James Longmire filed a placer claim in the late 1800s to take advantage of the land including a nearby meadow and most of the hot mineral springs around which he built his “homestead, lodging, and mineral springs resort” for people to soak in and drink the healing waters. “All of Longmire is now designated a National Historic District. Longmire is located in the southwest corner of the park and is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance.”

Another mineral spring you'll come across along the Trail of Shadows, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson

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