Yellowstone National Park is home to numerous geyser basins. Among
them is the popular West Thumb Geyser Basin It is a small but
impressive collection of hot springs, pools, mud pots, and fumaroles
located on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
NPS Map
In 1870, the Washburn expedition described Yellowstone Lake as being
shaped like a human hand with the fingers spread apart and the West
Bay of Yellowstone Lake represented the thumb.
The geyser basin offers two loop trails. The outer loop trail is ½
mile in length and the inner loop is ¼ mile long. We will be
walking a combination of the two loop trails.
NPS Map
From the parking lot, we begin
walking the trail near the southwestern corner of the basin. There
are a number of blue-colored pools in this area which are not on the map – Mimulus Pools (aka Painted Pools). Again, the beauty of Yellowstone is its constantly
changing landscape. Depending on the water level and time of the
year, these pools may be nearly dry. During our October visit,
we see the area dotted with beautiful blue pools in various sizes and
shapes.
Mimulus Pools (2014)
Painted Poola (2014)
The boardwalk trail splits. A
right turn is the inner loop through the center of the basin. We
will get to that later. For now, we continue going straight. A
short distance later is a spur trail leading to a view point for Twin
Geysers (one geyser with two vents). This geyser goes through long
periods of dormancy. During those inactive years, the geyser
bubbles. That is how we see it during our visit.
Twin Geysers (2014)
We continue walking the trail
toward Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, we stop to see Abyss Pool.
Named for its impressive depth (53 feet) and water clarity, Abyss
Pool is a hot spring that measures 30’ x 57’ in size.
Abyss Pool (2011)
Abyss Pool (2014)
As we get closer to the lake,
we look to the left for a view of the rugged shoreline along
Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone Lake Shoreline (2011)
On our right, we see Black
Pool (40’ x 75’ and 30’ deep). Today, this hot spring is a
beautiful blue color. At one time, a lower water temperature gave
this pool a dark color which is how the pool got its name.
Black Pool (2011)
At this point, the boardwalk
trail parallels the lakeshore. Big Cone is on our left. Big
Cone is a cone-type geyser with a 31-inch vent. Given Big Cone’s close proximity to Yellowstone Lake and the
potential for higher water levels, there may be times when the cone
is completely submerged.
Big Cone Geyser (2011)
Next is
the geyser basin’s most famous hydrothermal feature - Fishing Cone (aka "Chowder Pot" and "Fish Pot"). The 1870 Washburn party was the first to record the “cooking on a
hook” practice. After catching a fish in Yellowstone Lake, the
fish was left on the hook and dipped into the boiling pool to cook.
This practice is now prohibited. Like Big Cone, there may be times when Fishing Cone is underwater too.
Fishing Cone (2011)
Another lakeshore thermal feature is Lakeshore Geyser. It too can be
covered by water until later in the summer when the water level
lowers and the crater is exposed. It experiences long periods of
dormancy.
Lakeshore Geyser (2011)
Lakeside Boardwalk Trail
On the right side of the trail
is Lakeside Spring and
Venting Pool. As
the water levels recede, these two thermal features become less
showy. At least that
was our experience when we saw them in October.
Lakeside Spring (2005)
Venting Pool (2011)
The outer loop trail curves as
we begin walking toward the parking lot. A short spur trail to the
left takes us to two lovely pools - Seismograph Pool and Bluebell
Pool. Prior to 1961, these two pools were called “Blue Pools”.
It is speculated that the name change to Seismograph Pool had
something to do with the impact on the area caused by the 1959
earthquake. A seismograph is an instrument that measures and records
details of earthquakes.
Seismograph & Bluebell Pools (2009)
Seismograph Pool (2011)
Bluebell Pool (2011)
Exhibit Sign
Now, we could continue walking
the outer loop trail back to the parking lot but we want to see the
thermal features along the inner loop through the Central Basin area.
So, when the trail splits, we turn right and continue walking,
On our right we see the Thumb
Paint Pots. Depending upon the amount of precipitation and
groundwater levels, the mud pots can look like muddy water or appear
to be thicker like pottery mud. When we saw them, groundwater had
flooded the pots producing a bubbling spring.
Hot Pool in Center of Thumb Paint Pots (2014)
The inner loop trail passes by
several thermal features including Ledge Spring and Collapsing Pool.
Water levels can vary in both. During our visit, both
Ledge Spring and
Collapsing Pool had low water levels.
Collapsing Pool was
named after the 1959 earthquake when a portion of the pool’s rim
collapsed.
Ledge Spring (2014)
Collapsing Pool (2014)
This inner loop trail includes
other thermal features such as Perculating Spring, Thumb Geyser,
Perforated Pool, and Ephedra Spring. We obviously saw them but I
must have neglected
to photograph them. The next time I am at West Thumb Geyser Basin,
I will make sure I get photos to add to this blog.
Blue Funnel Spring (18 feet in
diameter) is generally a beautiful blue pool with a ring of color
around its edge. However, in the winter between 2013 and
2014, this spring drained. During our 2014 visit, the water level
had not fully recovered.
Blue Funnel Spring (2014)
We finish walking the inner loop trail and return to the parking lot. In addition to the historic Ranger Station, the parking lot area also includes restrooms and a picnic area.
We probably linger longer than the average park visitor because we read exhibit signs, take photos, and maybe stop to sit on
one of the benches to enjoy the view. Still, I would recommend allowing 30-60 minutes to see West Thumb Geyser Basin.
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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