Where can you find it?

Yellowstone is a National Park that is located in Wyoming, but extends across the north eastern border of Idaho and extends into the southern Montana border. Yellowstone has some of the most breathtaking views. No wonder why it is the the second most visited national park in the United States bringing in 4.02 million visitors in 2019 down from its previous 4.12 million the year prior.

Hot Springs and Geysers

Yellowstone is the home to more than 10,000 hydrothermal features and around 500 geysers.. Although these are natural hot springs they are extremely delicate and are not safe for walking. The most famous geyser at Yellowstone is the Grand Prismatic Basin (pictured above). The photo above is taken from the top view which requires a 1.2 mile hike. The hike itself is not bad at all, it becomes a little difficult when you get those points of increased elevation. After getting to the top I can definitely say it was worth the hike after all the photos we were able to capture. You can tell when you’re getting close to the geysers and hot springs because you start to get a hint of the rotten egg or sulfur smell that comes from the ground.

I’m not sure what the poster/diagram would be called that describes things, but it basically is describing the rainbow of colors that you see when looking at the Grand Prismatic Spring and other springs in the area. The blue color comes from the light being scattered by mineral particles in the water. If you ever seeing blue/green haze above the water this can be cause by the steam reflecting off the water. The orange hues come from a bacteria called thermophiles that love the heat on the surface of the springs. They have many different pigments and allow them to make energy from the sunlight and thrive in hot springs.

Excelsior Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Overlook trail)

There are many hot springs scattered throughout the park both marked and unmarked. There are many different types of geysers and Basins to visit including Mammoth Hot Springs, The Norris Geyser Basin, Artists Paintpots, Old faithful, the Lower and Midway Geyser Basin.

The photo above is taken at sundown just North of the Old Faithful visitors center. There is a group of naturally occurring hot springs that have a boardwalk going through out so you can get an unclose and personal look at the springs.

The Celestine Pool is located in the lower basin and is another grouping of springs that are clustered together on a boardwalk style walk. You can find a few different types of springs in this area including the Celestine Pool, Fountain Paint Pots, Deep Blue Geyser, the Leather Pool, Red Spouter, and many more. The most interesting geysers at this basin include the Red Spouter and the Artists Paint Pots. These sets of geysers are on an active volcano. When these two geysers spout it is a mixture of clay, boiling water and other sediment that comes bubbling to the top. The Red Spouter looks like a terra-cotta Jacuzzi while the Artists Paint Pots looks like a cement Jacuzzi.

The Castle Geyser is located in the Upper Geyser Basin near Old Faithful which is one of the Oldest Geysers in the park. Castle Geyser is similar to Old Faithful where it has predicted time frames when it should erupt. Of course these are only predictions and not 100% accurate. The white cone structured that makes up the Castle Geyser is from mineral deposits that continuously build up after each eruption. Although it is unknown of how old the Castle Geyser is, it is estimated that the Castle Geyser is between 5,000 and 15,000 years old. This geyser is also considered to be the largest geyser on the basin.

Fairy Falls

Once you get to the top, don’t forget to head down and you’ll make a slight right that will lead you to another road that connects with the Fairy Falls Trail head. The Fairy Falls Trail head from the overlook is about a 1.6 mile hike, this hike is relatively easy considering the flat terrain and rather established walkway.

Most of the trail on the way to the waterfall is covered by pine trees that can be found all throughout Yellowstone. There’s also a little creek about halfway down the trail that lets you know you’re almost there. The signs become more prevalent that you’re almost there the ground becomes moist and the air becomes crisp and misty.

Madison River

Madison River

The Madison River runs from West to East through Montana and Wyoming in Yellowstone. This photo above was taken right before noon near the West Entrance of the park that you can access through Montana.

Firehole River

The Firehole river runs north and south on the western side of Wyoming. The Firehole River is a fairly small river that comes from the Madison Lake. The name comes from early trout fisherman that would see steam from the river that made it look like it was on fire. It runs through a cluster of geysers in Yellowstone including the famous Old Faithful. It also flows over three of Yellowstone’s major waterfalls.

Being surrounded by geothermal geysers the river contains many dissolved chemicals and mineral deposits. The amounts of arsenic and boron are above standard levels for aquatic protection. Brown and Rainbow trout can be found spawning in the river throughout the year despite the excessive levels of chemicals.

Yellowstone

Arches National Park

Bonneville Salt Flats