Yellowstone – it is a vast land filled with strange and wonderful
places - like Norris Geyser Basin. In the 1870’s, Norris Geyser
Basin was referred to as “Gibbon Geyser Basin”. However, P. W.
Norris (Park Superintendent from 1877-1882) made a dying wish to have
this area named after him. He died in January of 1885 and his wish
was granted.
Norris is one of Yellowstone’s hottest hydrothermal areas. Under
these conditions, most life forms could not exist. However, it is
the perfect environment for the colorful thermopiles (heat-loving
micro-organisms) that can be found here. I guess it’s true - some
like it hot.
While the Norris Geyser Basin is really one large basin, there are
two separate trail areas – the Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin.
This blog post is all about the Back Basin.
The Back Basin consists of a large outer loop trail with a connector
trail in the center. The longer outer loop is 1.5 miles in length.
For everyone's safety, it is important to stay on the designated trail.
We will be hiking the outer trail in a clock-wise direction beginning
at the museum near the parking lot. That reminds me … several restrooms are located in the parking lot
but there aren’t any in the basin area.
Parking Lot Entrance
Museum Building
Back Basin - NPS Map
The first thermal feature (on our right) is Emerald Spring. The
water in this 27-foot deep spring has been known to change colors.
It can be green, or a murky brown, or even a deep blue (indicating a
hotter water temperature). When we see it, the spring is a blue
pool with clouds of steam hovering over its surface.
Emerald Spring
Next, is the famous Steamboat Geyser (aka New Crater Geyser). It is
the world’s tallest active geyser with eruptions up to 300+ feet.
Minor eruptions (10-15 feet) are more common. Steamboat is an
unpredictable geyser and can go years without a major eruption.
However, in 2018, Steamboat Geyser began another active cycle offering those fortunate enough to be in the
right place at the right time a real treat.
Steamboat Geyser (2005)
We came close to seeing Steamboat Geyser erupt during our September 30, 2018 visit. We
waited in the cold and rain for over six hours. Later in the
afternoon, as the temperature dropped to the freezing mark, the rain
turned to ice pellets that bounced off our rain ponchos. Many people
packed up their camping chairs and left. We stayed until 6:30 pm
(it would be dark in 30 minutes anyway). The next day, we found out
Steamboat erupted at 6:55 pm. We missed it by 25 minutes! Maybe the
darkness would have prevented us from seeing it but we still could
have heard and felt its powerful rush of water.
Steamboat Geyser Run-Off
A short distance after Steamboat Geyser is an intersection (the
connector trail). For those not wishing to continue the longer loop
trail, taking this connector trail to the opposite side of the outer
loop trail will shorten the hike. We are doing the entire outer loop
trail. For now, Cistern Spring is directly in front of us. Cistern Spring and Steamboat Geyser are linked underground. After Steamboat’s major eruptions, Cistern
Spring will drain completely and slowly refill within a few days. Usually, Cistern Spring's blue water overflows flooding the lodgepole pine forest. 
Cistern Spring (2006)
Cistern Spring (2018)
We resume our hike around the outer loop trail until we reach
Echinus Geyser. In the 1980-90’s, we
did see Echinus Geyser erupt (up to 75 feet high). It hasn’t had
much activity in more recent years. Echinus gets its name from the Greek word for "spiny". It was named in 1878 because of
the pebbles around its base was thought to resemble a spiny
sea-urchin.
Echinus Geyser
Next to the trail and the observation platform for Echinus Geyser is
an often overlooked thermal feature called Black Pit Spring.
Black Pit Spring (2018)
The boardwalk trail crosses Tantalus Creek and curves toward Crater
Spring. At times this spring is bubbling or may even erupt. During
our visit, the blue pool is quiet. 
Crater Spring (2011)
Arch Steam Vent can be seen on the left side of the trail
Arch Steam Vent (2018)
The trail continues to pass by
several hot pools including Mystic Spring. There are other pools but they are not as
easily identifiable .
Mystic Spring
At the far end of the Back
Basin, is Puff ‘N Stuff Geyser. Puffs of steam drift upward
from its opening.
Puff "N Stuff Geyser (2011)
Nearby, but set a little
farther off the trail, is Black Hermit Caldron.
Black Hermit Caldron (2018)
The trail curves and begins
leading us back toward the museum. In the meantime, there is still
plenty more to see. To get a better look at Green Dragon Spring, we
take a short spur trail to see the steamy cave entrance.
Green Dragon Spring (2018)
Next, we view the steam
billowing from Blue Mud Steam Vent. 
Blue Mud Steam Vent
Yellow Funnel Spring is
another example of Yellowstone’s ever-changing landscape. Sometimes the spring is a muddy hole bubbling with hot water. Today, we see a pool filled with beautiful blue-green color water.
Yellow Funnel Spring (2018) Yellow Funnel Spring (2011)
Porkchop Geyser was named in
1961 because it was thought the spring’s shape resembled a
porkchop.
Porkchop Geyser (2018)
We cross over the South Fork
of Tantalus Creek to Pearl Geyser. It was named in 1878 for the
deposits that surrounded the spring. My favorite thing about it is
its opalescent appearance.
Pearl Geyser (2011)
Sometimes the scene may look barren especially when thermal features are dormant and dry. Here, the boardwalk trail leads us
safely through a landscape filled with bubbling hot springs.
Boardwalk Trail (2011)
Bubbling Hot Springs (2011)
On the right side of the trail
is Vixen Geyser. This was a fun geyser to watch. When I first saw
it, a narrow stream of water was bursting out of the basin. Within a
minute, the eruption stopped and the basin completely drained. I
didn’t linger here to see if the cycle would repeat or not.
Vixen Geyser Active
Vixen Geyser - Inactive
Once again, we arrive at the intersection of the connector trail. There are a couple of things I want to see near this end of the connector trail. So, we take a right turn off the main loop tail to see Corporal Geyser (on our left). The pretty pool of green water moves with gentle ripples. When Corporal Geyser was named in 1889, it may have been due to its relationship to nearby Veteran Geyser which was thought to be older.
Corporal Geyser (2006)
A short distance down the
connector trail is Veteran Geyser (on our right). It was named in
the mid-1880’s. No one knows the rationale behind its name but it
may have been a salute to the years of the thermal area’s
existence. Veteran Geyser hasn’t had any major eruptions in recent
years.
Veteran Geyser (2006)
We retrace our steps back to
the outer loop trail and continue to Palpitator Spring. This spring was named in the
1880’s because the spring’s rhythmic palpitations created by the
gas bubbles was like a heart beating. I didn’t see a lot of
bubbling action. Maybe the spring needs CPR to get it going again.
Palpitator Spring (2018)
Fearless Geyser (on our left).
It is another gently boiling thermal feature.
Fearless Geyser (2018)
Nearby, on our right, we see
Monarch Geyser. Named in the early 1880’s, Monarch Geyser hasn’t
had a major eruption since 1913.
Monarch Geyser (2011)
The last thermal feature we
see on the Back Basin trail is Minute Geyser (aka Minute Man). In
the 1880’s this geyser erupted about every 60 seconds. It no
longer erupts but it is considered a “perpetual spouter”.
Minute Geyser (2011)
We walk through a forested
hill taking the trail back to our starting point near the museum. At
that point, we will continue our hike through the Porcelain Basin
area. I’ll share our visit there in 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:
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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