My favorite area of Yellowstone, by far, is
the extremely active area surrounding Old
Faithful. While many a tourist stops only to see
Old Faithful Geyser, the really interesting stuff
can be found on the trails that snake through the
Upper and Lower Gesyer Basins. The largest
concentration of geysers is in this area.
In the photo on the left (Courtesy NPS, NPS
photo), you can see the typical congregation of
tourists awaiting the eruption of Old Faithful.
But let's look at what many of them will miss.
the extremely active area surrounding Old
Faithful. While many a tourist stops only to see
Old Faithful Geyser, the really interesting stuff
can be found on the trails that snake through the
Upper and Lower Gesyer Basins. The largest
concentration of geysers is in this area.
In the photo on the left (Courtesy NPS, NPS
photo), you can see the typical congregation of
tourists awaiting the eruption of Old Faithful.
But let's look at what many of them will miss.
The photo at right, I'll admit, was a fluke. I was
actually among the Old Faithful crowd when up the
hill, beehive geyser started its eruption. I managed
to snap a photo while I could, though disappointed
that I couldn't be closer. It erupts only twice daily
when in an active phase.
I'll also admit that on this particular sojourn I did
not take as many pictures of geysers as I should
have. This time around, I was focusing mostly on
hot springs and geysers that weren't erupting. For
example:
actually among the Old Faithful crowd when up the
hill, beehive geyser started its eruption. I managed
to snap a photo while I could, though disappointed
that I couldn't be closer. It erupts only twice daily
when in an active phase.
I'll also admit that on this particular sojourn I did
not take as many pictures of geysers as I should
have. This time around, I was focusing mostly on
hot springs and geysers that weren't erupting. For
example:
At left, Beach Spring during one of its bubbling phases.
Bottom left, Blue Star Spring, near the place where
Beehive was erupting in the picture above.
Bottom right, Doublet Pool. This feature at first made
me curious because every now and again it would create
small waves, and I thought I could hear a low pulse. It
turned out that the sound and waves are caused by gas
bubbled collapsing within their vents. I was glad to know
that my mind was not playing tricks on me.
Bottom left, Blue Star Spring, near the place where
Beehive was erupting in the picture above.
Bottom right, Doublet Pool. This feature at first made
me curious because every now and again it would create
small waves, and I thought I could hear a low pulse. It
turned out that the sound and waves are caused by gas
bubbled collapsing within their vents. I was glad to know
that my mind was not playing tricks on me.
Left: I seek correction here, but for some reason I
keep thinking that this is Vault Spring. If you know
otherwise, tell me.
Grotto Geyser, from page 1, is also among the
Upper Geyser Basin group. Despite my frequent
visits to the park, I have only seen it in eruption
once. Be patient for a photo. I have a non-digital
photo somewhere in a storage box from 1995.
The pool you see below is another famous
feature. This is Morning Glory Pool. Among most
people, it is famous for its beauty. But people who
love the park know the real reason why this pool is
important.
keep thinking that this is Vault Spring. If you know
otherwise, tell me.
Grotto Geyser, from page 1, is also among the
Upper Geyser Basin group. Despite my frequent
visits to the park, I have only seen it in eruption
once. Be patient for a photo. I have a non-digital
photo somewhere in a storage box from 1995.
The pool you see below is another famous
feature. This is Morning Glory Pool. Among most
people, it is famous for its beauty. But people who
love the park know the real reason why this pool is
important.
From what the history of the park tells us,
Morning Glory was once a geyser, and also once
a solid sky-blue color. What this pool teaches us
is the extent to which human ignorance and
recklessness can cause change in the park.
Morning Glory used to be closer to the old
highway, and was frequented by visitors who
threw coins, cans, bottles, and clothing into it. The
junk clogged the spring's vent, dramatically
decreasing the pool's temperature and causing the
coloring seen today. Attempts have been made to
clean the vents, but the original Morning Glory
has been lost to carelessness.
Morning Glory was once a geyser, and also once
a solid sky-blue color. What this pool teaches us
is the extent to which human ignorance and
recklessness can cause change in the park.
Morning Glory used to be closer to the old
highway, and was frequented by visitors who
threw coins, cans, bottles, and clothing into it. The
junk clogged the spring's vent, dramatically
decreasing the pool's temperature and causing the
coloring seen today. Attempts have been made to
clean the vents, but the original Morning Glory
has been lost to carelessness.