Yellowstone National Park is a picturesque and popular piece of
property predominately located in Wyoming (USA). Its diverse and
scenic landscape draws millions of visitors every year. There are so
many things to see and do. That is why I have created this series of
posts featuring some of my favorite Yellowstone places. This blog
post is all about Firehole Lake Drive.
Not to be confused with Firehole Canyon Drive, Firehole Lake Drive is
another scenic, one-way paved road located off the Grand Loop Road
between Old Faithful and Madison Junction.
NPS Map
Yellowstone Association/NPS Map
This short (3 mile) road offers views of geysers and hot springs. They are considered part of Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin. Many of these thermal
features can be seen from the comfort of our car; but, I prefer to
leave the car and walk the boardwalk trails. I like feeling the
steam and sprays of mist from these natural wonders. We will have
the opportunity to do this because there are
several pullouts and parking areas along the
road.
After we enter the Drive, the first feature (on the left) is Lemon
Spring. Most people pass by it - including us. On our next Yellowstone visit, we will photograph Lemon Spring and Firehole Spring to add
to this post.
Firehole Spring (left side of the road) is usually the first thermal
feature most visitors see along this drive. Sometime in the early
1890’s someone thought the rising gas bubbles bursting at the
water’s surface and shimmering in sunlight reminded them of a
“flickering flame”.
A short distance down the road is another small pullout for Surprise
Pool. It has been known by this name since 1896. Apparently early
visitors threw gravel or sand into the spring. This disturbance in
the surface of the boiling water resulted in the pool bubbling –
like seltzer - giving it that “surprise” effect. Fortunately,
this destructive practice was discontinued. Today, visitors are
prohibited from throwing anything into any thermal feature.
Surprise Pool
The main attraction of Firehole Lake Drive is Great Fountain Geyser. Eruptions occur every 9-15 hours and last for 45-60 minutes. Bursts can reach up to 200 feet but average is 100 feet. About 70-100 minutes before it erupts, its pool begins filling with water and then violent boiling begins. While the Old Faithful Visitor Center offers a possible prediction time (give or take an hour or two),
On one of our visits, we witness the first few initial high bursts
of water as we approached the Great Fountain parking area. A word
of caution - once people see it is erupting, the parking area may get
congested. Please be watchful of traffic and excited pedestrians hurrying across the road to see the erupting geyser.
Great Fountain Geyser
We sit on one of the viewing benches to watch this spectacular geyser show.
Even during those visits when Great Fountain Geyser isn’t erupting, the circular terraced pool (150 feet in diameter) that surrounds the geyser’s cone is worth a photo stop.
Even during those visits when Great Fountain Geyser isn’t erupting, the circular terraced pool (150 feet in diameter) that surrounds the geyser’s cone is worth a photo stop.
Great Fountain Geyser Terraces
Nearby, we can see White Dome Geyser is spouting a few bursts too.
While the 20-30’ high eruptions last only a minute or two,
eruptions can occur as frequently as 15-30 minutes. Over the
centuries, White Dome Geyser has built up a cone 20 feet in height.
Looks are deceptive. The opening to this cone is a mere 4-7 inches
wide. Over time, the opening could close completely.
White Dome Geyser
Next stop is Pink Cone Geyser. This is another future photo for us.
In 1871, the Hayden Expedition named this 18-inch high, pink-colored
cone for its color. Located on the left side of the road fairly close to Firehole Lake Drive, this geyser blasts columns of water to a height
of 20-35 feet. We have never seen it erupting …. maybe someday we
will.
We continue driving toward the Firehole Lake parking area. Before we
arrive there, we get a nice view of Hot Lake (left side of road) with
one of the yellow tour buses on the opposite side. If you Google
Firehole Lake Drive and look at the TripAdvisor reviews you will see
that TripAdvisor chose my photo to represent Firehole Lake Drive.
How cool is that! Hot Lake is about 1,000' x 300' in size.
Hot Lake and Tour Bus
There is a large parking area on both sides of the road. We walk across the footbridge and disappear into the steamy thermal area. Here’s a word of caution. The heat and mist from these thermal
features could damage camera lenses. Be aware of these conditions and do what you can to protect
your equipment.
Boardwalk Trail
We walk clockwise around the boardwalk trail. The first named feature we
see is the aptly named Steady Geyser. So named because it’s –
well – steady. Its eruptions range from 1'-15' high. The name Steady Geyser was officially accepted in
1927.
Steady Geyser
Continuing along the boardwalk trail, we get a closer view of Hot
Cascades. This small “waterfall” is where the hot water from
Black Warrior Lake drops down into Hot Lake.
Hot Cascades
At the end of the boardwalk trail is Black Warrior Lake. In the
mid-1880’s, this area was referred to as Ebony Basin. Manganese
oxide discharged from Steady Geyser gives the water its dark color.
Black Warrior Lake
On the opposite side of the road is Firehole Lake. Thermophiles
(warm water bacteria) create the brown color of this hot spring which
is the namesake for the Firehole Lake Drive.
Firehole Lake
A short boardwalk trail along the edge of Firehole Lake provides us
with a close-up view of two small but playful geysers – Young
Hopeful and Artesia Geysers.
Young Hopeful Geyser
Artesia Geyser
We take a little time to walk around the area looking for other
nearby thermal features.
Unnamed Thermal Feature
A close-up of the thermal run-off can create some cool-looking
graphic art images.
Art in Nature - Thermal Run-Off
From here, the road continues through the woods back to Grand Loop
Road. At this point, the parking lot for Fountain Paint Pot is right
across the road. Coincidentally, this area will be the focus of my
next blog post.
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
Norris Geyser Basin: Porcelain Basin - Some Like It Hot
West Thumb Geyser Basin: Two Thumbs Up
Whatta Falls - Waterfalls in Yellowstone NP
West Thumb Geyser Basin: Two Thumbs Up
Whatta Falls - Waterfalls in Yellowstone NP
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:
Plan Your Visit - Yellowstone NP
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