We left West Yellowstone today and moved into Yellowstone National Park for a couple of days. We were in the park at 8:10 A.M. Another jaw dropper for those who know Debbie. The first stop was Gibbons Falls followed by Norris Basin. Cultural Moment: Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas. It contains the Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. Porcelain Basin has no trees and bare ground and boardwalk trail accesses this area. We went to the Porcelain Basin first and it was a little difficult to see through the steam since it was so early. The Back Basin is more heavily wooded with features scattered throughout the area. A 1.5-mile trail of boardwalks and bare ground encircles this part of the basin. So by 10:00, the group had hiked about 2 miles.
What did we learn?
What is a geyser? (Debbie wanted you to know since she spent two miles walking around them) It is a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, sending a column of water and steam into the air.
What is a mud pot? a hot spring filled with mud agitated by venting gases. Debbie seems to be fascinated with these and it is difficult to explain why one would take several pictures of mud but she did.
What is a paint pot? A mud pot with color. Oh, good more mud pictures for Debbie
What is a Hot Spring? A spring that has real hot water? Well, almost – Springs produced by the geothermal heated groundwater.
What is a fumarole? The hottest emission. It is a hole in a volcanic region from which hot gases and vapor escape. It turns the water into steam.
We ended up at lower and upper terrace of Mammoth. We were able to go to the Upper Terrace late in the day and it was awesome.
We went to several areas during the day where the pictures do more justice than words.
That night we stayed at Mammoth Cabins in the park. At night, an elk herd came up by the main hotel. It is mating season and we heard the bull bugle to his harem.
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Gibbons Falls -
Norris Geyser Basin -
Porcelain Basin -
Another view -
The boardwalk -
Emerald Pool -
Back Basin -
Artist Mud Pots -
More Mud Pots -
Mud Pots -
Debbie took about 10 shots of the mud -
More geothermal stuff -
Sheepeater Cliff – Great name -
Debbie, stop taking pictures of us eating -
Mammoth – Hot Springs -
Mammoth – Lower Terrace -
Mammoth Liberty Cap -
Mammoth Cabin -
My feet hurt -
Larry, taking pictures of the harem -
The Elk Bull
great pics!
When I read paint pot I was hoping to see mud pot picture that was hot pink or another color.
Me too! Some were but some were just mud color