Smiths covert uisce of Eatonville

## Overview Smith's Covert Uisce ("uisce" being the Irish word for "water") is a natural spring located on the outskirts of Eatonville in Pierce County, Washington. Situated among the rolling hills near Alder Lake and the foothills of Mount Rainier, this spring emerges from an underground source, flowing out of a small crack in the hillside before disappearing back underground. The spring is on private property, though the homeowner has at times allowed public access free of charge. **Visitors should be aware that access is entirely at the discretion of the property owner** — permission is not guaranteed, and you should always ask before entering the property. Please be respectful of the land and the owner's wishes. No laboratory water quality tests have been reported for this spring, so its purity and mineral content are unknown. While the spring's remote, upland location and underground source suggest relatively clean water, visitors should treat the water with appropriate caution before consumption. ## Directions 1. Head south on **National Park Highway (Highway 7)** toward the Alder Lake area. 2. Turn onto **Alder Cutoff Road E** — you'll find this turnoff near Alder Lake Park. 3. Take the **first right** onto **Alder Mashel Connection Road E**. 4. Drive a short distance and take a **right** onto **Midway Creek Road E**. 5. After a few hundred meters, take the **first right** you encounter and continue driving a short distance until you reach a house. 6. The spring is approximately **100 feet from the house**, emerging from the hillside. **Tip:** The area has very sparse development and the rural roads can be confusing, especially for first-time visitors. It's strongly recommended to load the GPS coordinates (**46.7997727, -122.2395891**) into your navigation app before heading out, as cell service may be limited in this area. ## What to Expect This is a small, quiet spring in a rural setting near the town of Eatonville, roughly 14 miles southeast of the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The water seeps from a crack in the hillside and flows briefly before returning underground — don't expect a dramatic cascade or large pool. The charm here is in the simplicity and the peaceful, wooded surroundings of the southern Pierce County foothills. The area around the spring is lightly developed, with few houses nearby. There are no facilities, signage, or formal parking — you'll be pulling up near a private residence. Be courteous, keep noise to a minimum, and leave no trace. Since this is private land, the owner's permission is required, and access may vary from visit to visit. Seasonally, spring flow may fluctuate — wetter months (fall through spring in western Washington) are likely to produce stronger flow, while late summer could see reduced output. Wear sturdy footwear, as the terrain around the spring may be uneven and muddy.