Most trails around Yellowstone's geysers and hot springs are wooden boardwalks. They are built to
keep visitors safe from the geothermal features, and are portable to accomodate the park's constantly
changing landscape. I'll be a park advocate here and make it clear that even I heed the park's warnings
about staying on the designated walkways. Despite all the warning signs that I see posted throughout
the park, I still see foolish people leave the boardwalks to get a better look, to get a better picture, etc.
My advice- keep your feet on the designated walkways and boardwalks. Neither the park, naturalists,
nor I can say it enough times.
keep visitors safe from the geothermal features, and are portable to accomodate the park's constantly
changing landscape. I'll be a park advocate here and make it clear that even I heed the park's warnings
about staying on the designated walkways. Despite all the warning signs that I see posted throughout
the park, I still see foolish people leave the boardwalks to get a better look, to get a better picture, etc.
My advice- keep your feet on the designated walkways and boardwalks. Neither the park, naturalists,
nor I can say it enough times.
The Mud Volcano trail is an example
of why it is wise to stay on the
boardwalks. In some areas, the ground
may look stable, but could actually be
paper-thin with seething mud
underneath. While this applies to all
geothermal trails in the park, it is most
evident at Mud Volcano. To give you
an idea of just how dramatically the
ground changes here, I'll use a feature
simply called the "Parking Lot Pool" as
my evidence.
In May of 1999, someone noticed
the pavement of the parking lot emitting
small wisps of steam. When park
employees peeled back the asphault, a
muddy pool
of why it is wise to stay on the
boardwalks. In some areas, the ground
may look stable, but could actually be
paper-thin with seething mud
underneath. While this applies to all
geothermal trails in the park, it is most
evident at Mud Volcano. To give you
an idea of just how dramatically the
ground changes here, I'll use a feature
simply called the "Parking Lot Pool" as
my evidence.
In May of 1999, someone noticed
the pavement of the parking lot emitting
small wisps of steam. When park
employees peeled back the asphault, a
muddy pool
was found underneath. At least it didn't eat a car. And then, there's the "Cooking Hillside", in which soil
temperatures could reach 200 degrees (F), literally cooking the surrounding forest to death. The picture
above is of the Mud Volcano itself. I would advise not to stand as close to it as this buffalo is in the
photo.
temperatures could reach 200 degrees (F), literally cooking the surrounding forest to death. The picture
above is of the Mud Volcano itself. I would advise not to stand as close to it as this buffalo is in the
photo.
My very first visit to Yellowstone happened in
1995. While I was there, I observed the
Dragon's Mouth Spring (photo at right) as having
dark, murky waters. When I came back in 2001,
the water of Dragon's Mouth had changed to a
chalky white due to a decrease in temperature.
Kind of made me think on just how quickly things
can change in Yellowstone.
Dragon's Mouth is not the only feature that I
know has changed. During my first visit in Norris
Geyser Basin, I found a particular fascination for
a small spring just off the Porcelain Basin. The
water
1995. While I was there, I observed the
Dragon's Mouth Spring (photo at right) as having
dark, murky waters. When I came back in 2001,
the water of Dragon's Mouth had changed to a
chalky white due to a decrease in temperature.
Kind of made me think on just how quickly things
can change in Yellowstone.
Dragon's Mouth is not the only feature that I
know has changed. During my first visit in Norris
Geyser Basin, I found a particular fascination for
a small spring just off the Porcelain Basin. The
water
of it was visibly clear and deep. So deep I could not see the bottom. Its depths were dark, cavernous,
and mysterious. I was disappointed when I came back in 2001. The spring had become murky, and no
longer could I see just how deep it could go. This sprng is known as "Whale's Mouth", and is not the
only spring within the Norris area to display "murkiness" as of late. See photo below.
and mysterious. I was disappointed when I came back in 2001. The spring had become murky, and no
longer could I see just how deep it could go. This sprng is known as "Whale's Mouth", and is not the
only spring within the Norris area to display "murkiness" as of late. See photo below.
Some people think I'm... quaint for liking
Yellowstone as much as I do. I try to think
of Yellowstone as how primordial chaos
would be. Everything is changing because
the land on which it sits is dynamic. Each
time I return to Yellowstone, something else
has changed. The land will never stop
changing here. It is powered by the same
force that created the pacific islands, which
also experience dramatic change.
I said that if I believed in God, surly
Yellowstone surly would be His
playground. There are so many oddities
here. Makes you
Yellowstone as much as I do. I try to think
of Yellowstone as how primordial chaos
would be. Everything is changing because
the land on which it sits is dynamic. Each
time I return to Yellowstone, something else
has changed. The land will never stop
changing here. It is powered by the same
force that created the pacific islands, which
also experience dramatic change.
I said that if I believed in God, surly
Yellowstone surly would be His
playground. There are so many oddities
here. Makes you
wonder just how this land can be so... dramatic.I call it dramatic, anyway. And nature rules here. This
place is not for chickens or deviants. Many wild animals here are quite capable of being deadly. And
they do whatever they please. For example, I was just past the Mystic Falls trailhead when I met a
group of hikers who told me that I shouldn't continue onward. A quick look for myself revealed why. A
buffalo was standing smack in the middle of the trail. Unless I wanted to go around him and wade across
the Firehole River, I would have to turn back. What can you do, eh? I will have to see Mystic Falls on
my next trip.
place is not for chickens or deviants. Many wild animals here are quite capable of being deadly. And
they do whatever they please. For example, I was just past the Mystic Falls trailhead when I met a
group of hikers who told me that I shouldn't continue onward. A quick look for myself revealed why. A
buffalo was standing smack in the middle of the trail. Unless I wanted to go around him and wade across
the Firehole River, I would have to turn back. What can you do, eh? I will have to see Mystic Falls on
my next trip.
People have been killed by buffalo in
Yellowstone. Kid you not. They aren't just
"overgrown cows" like most people want to
believe. Me? I wasn't about to contend with one on
a hiking trail. But hey... at least it wasn't a grizzly
bear.
Yellowstone. Kid you not. They aren't just
"overgrown cows" like most people want to
believe. Me? I wasn't about to contend with one on
a hiking trail. But hey... at least it wasn't a grizzly
bear.