Yellowstone National Park is home to over 10,000 thermal features
including geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. At Fountain
Paint Pot, we have the chance to see all four types along this half-mile nature trail.
The parking lot for Fountain Paint Pot is located off the Grand Loop
Road between Old Faithful and Madison Junction. If you just exited
the Firehole Lake Drive (like we did), the parking lot is across the
road.
NPS Map
This easy loop trail is another one of our “filler” hikes. It is
perfect length to do when we have just a little time before lunch or
we want to take a quick stroll before sunset.
Because our time is limited, we walk the trail in a counter-clockwise
direction. This will get us to the main thermal features at the
beginning of our walk versus the end of it.
The first thing we notice along the boardwalk trail is the algae.
The colors serve as temperature indicators. Oranges, yellows, reds,
and browns indicate a higher water temperature.
Algae and Boardwalk Trail
The first main feature we see is Silex Spring. Its size is about 35' x 40' and 27' deep. The beautiful blue
water is surrounded by a white “lacy” edging. Silex is Latin for
silica which is found in rhyolite - the primary volcanic rock found
in Yellowstone.
Silex Spring
Just up the hill is Fountain Paint Pot. In 1871, it was called "Mud Puff". Then, in 1875, it was thought to resemble a vat of bubbling
paint. Over the years, it has been referred to by many different
names including “Mammoth Paintpot” and “Devil’s Paintbox”.
In 1927, the name Fountain Paint Pot became its official name.
Fountain Paint Pot
As I gaze into this bubbling vat of clay, the bubbles popping at its
surface look thick like glue. They make a bluep, bluep sound when
they pop. For some reason, I find this fascinating to watch.
The fumarole is a gaping hole in the ground. Steam oozes from its
opening and hisses like a radiator.
A Fumarole
Leather Pool was also known as “White Sulphur Spring” but in 1927
the name Leather Pool was accepted as its official name.
Leather Pool
Red Spouter is the result of an earthquake that shook this region in
1959. At that time, it was given its name because it was spewing
reddish-colored muddy water.
Red Spouter
We walk down some stairs and enter the geyser area. On my left I
find Jet Geyser. It’s currently in an active phase with heavy
steam billowing around its base while shooting bursts of water 10-15
feet high.
Jet Geyser
On the opposite side of the boardwalk from Jet Geyser is Fountain
Geyser. It’s been known by this name since 1871. I find the inactive
geyser and surrounding pools create a sculptural landscape of
blue and white. However, when it erupts, the water can burst to
heights of 50-75 feet.
Fountain Geyser (2010)
Fountain Geyser (2005)
Spasm Geyser is a potential indicator for Fountain Geyser. If you
don’t see the water at Spasm Geyser splashing (up to 3 feet),
Fountain Geyser has probably had a recent eruption. This was the
case during our 2010 visit. Spasm Geyser was bubbling like a witches
cauldron.
Spasm Geyser (Clepsydra Geyser in background)
Located near Spasm Geyser is Clepsydra Geyser. It never disappoints us because it seems to be in a perpetual
state of activity with eruptions from 10'-40' high. Prior to the 1959 earthquake, Clepsydra erupted
every three minutes. This clockwork consistency resulted in its name
which refers to a metal vessel that was used as a water clock in ancient
Greece. 
Clepsydra Geyser
In recent years, Jelly Geyser has been dormant. However, the water
level may fluctuate from low (as seen here) to overflowing.
Jelly Geyser
The boardwalk trail takes us by a sinter area. On our right, we see
a gray-white landscape devoid of trees. Sinter is slowly being
deposited here by the run-off water from the nearby thermal features. I think it creates a lonely and forbidden landscape.
Sinter Area
At the end of the boardwalk trail, we find a ghost forest of
lodgepole pines. Some people say it looks like the trees are wearing
white bobby socks. I learned from my visit at Black Sand Basin what
happened to these trees. The once living trees absorbed the water
filled with silica and other minerals from nearby thermal features.
Eventually, this kills the lodgepole pine. The water evaporates
leaving only the minerals which turn the base of the tree white.
Lodgepole Pines
After the lodgepole pines, we pass by Celestine Pool. While the
origin of the name is unknown, it is possible that it is based on the
Latin word 'caelestis' meaning 'heavenly’. A photo of this lovely
blue hot spring will have to wait for a future Yellowstone visit. We
are running out of time and need to keep moving to our next
destination.
No matter how many times I visit Yellowstone, I never get tired of
seeing its ever-changing scenery. I invite you to view my other blog
posts on Yellowstone National Park by clicking on the following
links:
Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the...Sulfur?
Hiking Yellowstone: NW Corner - More Space; Less Crowded
Hiking Yellowstone: NW Corner - More Space; Less Crowded
Planning a visit to Yellowstone? Food and lodging options are
available inside the park and in towns just outside the park (West
Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cooke City/Silver Gate – all located in
Montana). I highly recommend making lodging reservations in advance.
Yellowstone is a popular destination and “No Vacancy” signs are
common especially during the peak summer months. Since opinions,
preferences, and budgets vary, I suggest checking a trusted travel
source for current reviews.
My best advice is this - don’t just drive through Yellowstone –
experience it!
The National Park Service has created a series of short videos titled
“Inside Yellowstone”. It’s a fast and fun way to learn about
the Park. Click on the following link to begin this Yellowstone
experience.
Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start
planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the
following link:
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