Focusing On Travel

Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the...Sulfur?
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

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.

Inside Yellowstone – A Series of Short Videos

Inside Yellowstone: A Series of Short Videos

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the following link:

Introduction to Yellowstone: Basic Park Highlights

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Yellowstone: Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail

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.

Yellowstone: A to Z

A Geyser Gazers Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin

Yellowstone: It's Cookin' in the Biscuit Basin

Yellowstone: Touring the Black Sand Basin

Backpacking Yellowstone: Quiet Wild Moments

Yellowstone: A Ton of Fun at the Canyon

Hiking Yellowstone: Fairy Falls & Imperial Geyser

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Canyon

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Lake
Yellowstone: Fountain Flat Drive & Beyond

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Lower Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Upper Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the...Sulfur?
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

My best advice is this - don’t just drive through Yellowstone – experience it!

Inside Yellowstone: A Series of Short Videos

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the following link:

Introduction to Yellowstone: Basic Park Highlights

Friday, August 17, 2018

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Lake

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.

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.

Yellowstone: A to Z

Yellowstone: A Geysers Gazers Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin

Yellowstone: It's Cookin' in the Biscuit Basin

Yellowstone: Touring the Black Sand Basin

Backpacking Yellowstone: Quiet Wild Moments

Yellowstone: A Ton of Fun at the Canyon

Hiking Yellowstone: Fairy Falls & Imperial Geyser

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Canyon

Yellowstone: Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail
Yellowstone: Fountain Flat Drive & Beyond

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Lower Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Upper Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the...Sulfur?
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

My best advice is this - don’t just drive through Yellowstone – experience it!

Inside Yellowstone - A Series of Short Videos

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the following link:

Yellowstone: A to Z
Introduction to Yellowstone: Basic Park Highlights
A Geyser Gazers Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin
It's Cookin' in the Biscuit Basin
Touring the Black Sand Basin
Backpacking Yellowstone: Quiet Wild Moments in the Cascade Lake Area
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Fairy Falls & Imperial Geyser Hike

Friday, August 10, 2018

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Canyon

Welcome to Yellowstone National Park! Because there is so much to see and do in Yellowstone, I have created a series of posts. Each one features a specific area of Yellowstone. This blog post is about Firehole Canyon Drive. It is a short but scenic drive through a canyon to a one of Yellowstone’s many waterfalls. The entrance to the Firehole Canyon Drive is located south of Madison Junction just off the Grand Loop Road.

NPS Map

While it is a short two-mile road, Firehole Canyon Drive is not short on scenery. The narrow, one-way paved road twists through the canyon following alongside the Firehole River.

Firehole Canyon Drive

How much time it takes to do this scenic drive depends on how often you stop along the way, how long you stay at a scenic spot, and traffic conditions. The average visitor might allow 15-20 minutes to do this drive but we are not your average visitor. We tend to linger to truly experience the sights and sounds of the canyon. Listen to the rush of the water tumbling over the rocks, feel the texture of the canyon walls, and watch for wildlife (big or small or stuffed like Ursula the Black Bear – available at Park Gift Shops).

Cascades along the Firehole River

Ursula at Firehole Falls

Firehole Falls (40’ high) is the highlight of this drive. Due to the topography of the area, there is limited parking here. We find a parking space and cross the road to view this roadside waterfall. A word of caution - this area can get congested and the road is curvy. So, please watch for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Firehole Canyon Drive near Firehole Falls

As I have said many times before – I am not a geologist. But that doesn’t stop me from wondering about what I am seeing here at the falls. So, I went to the Internet for some answers. Quite simply put – these rocks are the result of a rhyolite (volcanic) flow. That makes sense since most of the Park is volcanic by nature.

Firehole Falls

There isn’t any historical record about who named Firehole Falls. However, by the mid-1880’s, Firehole Falls appeared to be the accepted name.

Near the end of the scenic drive is the Firehole River Swimming Area. It is one of two places in Yellowstone where you can legally swim. The other designated swimming spot is Boiling River on the North Entrance Road. Here at the Firehole River swimming area, parking is available along the road near a stairway to the river. We walk down the 30 wooden steps to an overlook of the swimming hole.

Stairs to Firehole River Swimming Area

During our October visit, it’s too cold for swimming. However, when conditions are right (check with any visitor center in Yellowstone), you can swim here at your own risk (no lifeguard is present).

Firehole River Swimming Area

A cormorant is resting on a rock near the river with his black wings opened away from his body I have seen this bird behavior on other occasions and wondered what the purpose was. So, I did a little research and found a couple interesting possibilities. The most common is thought to be a means of drying its feathers after getting wet diving for fish. Other theories indicate it might be an aid to swallowing and digestion or regulating body heat. Regardless of the reason, I like seeing this statuesque pose.

Cormorant Spreading Its Wings

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Lake

Yellowstone: Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail
Yellowstone: Fountain Flat Drive & Beyond

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Lower Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs is Really Cool (Upper Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the ... Sulfur?
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

Planning a visit to Yellowstone? Food and lodging options are available inside the park and in the towns just outside the park (West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cooke City/Silver Gate – all 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!

Inside Yellowstone: Short Video Series

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the following link: