There is an informative FAQ about the geysers available by anonymous ftp from the rec travel archives. For ftp service: connect to ftp.digimark.net
The file is /pub/rec-travel/north_america/usa/wyoming/yellowstone_geysers
It can also be accessed via WWW at:
http://www.digimark.net/rec-travel/north_america/usa/wyoming/yellowstone_geysers
A very good URL home page on Yellowstone is at:
http://www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/US_National_Park/wy_yello.HTM
There is a geyser URL at:
http://www.wku.edu/~glennja/pages/geyser.html
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Park Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (307) 344-7381 TW services (In park lodging, campground reservations,
dinner reservations, park tours etc.) . . . . . . (307) 344-7311
TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (307) 344-5395
Mistix (reservations at Bridge Bay campground). . . . . . 1-800-365-2267
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(I) OLD FAITHFUL and the UPPER GEYSER BASIN: Of course, everyone goes to see Old Faithful but less walk even the short distance to Geyser Hill and very few spend time in the rest of the geyser basin. It takes time to explore the basin AND see anything. Besides the many geyser, the largest concentration in the world, there are also some very pretty hot springs.
A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available at the visitor center and at the start of the bordwalks.
The must-see geyser is Grand. Eruption predictions for this and a few other geysers are posted in the Old Faithful Visitor Center. I have never talked to anyone who after waiting to see Grand did not think that it was well worth the wait. Grand is the largest predictable geyser in the world. It is larger and last longer than Old Faithful but, unfortunately, can not be predicted as accurately as Old Faithful so some waiting is required to see it. The other predicted geysers are also worth seeing but not if it means taking the chance of missing Grand. The geysers are most spectacular on a sunny day so try to see them then if the weather will cooperate.
If you are interested in seeing some of the other geysers, first check at the Old Faithful Visitor Center for some of the other geyser predictions. If you want to see even more or to see something unusual or just want to learn more about the geysers then look at a copy of 'The Geysers Of Yellowstone' by T. Scott Bryan (available in the visitor centers). This book gives the characteristics of hundreds of the geysers and information on what to look for before an eruption. Also talk to the rangers, making it clear you want information on more than just Old Faithful. Another very good source, if you can find them, are the 'Geyser Gazers'. These are visitors to the park, myself included, who enjoy keeping track of the current activity of the geysers. Geyser gazers can be a font of information and are USUALLY very helpful. My mother says that the easiest way to find a geyser gazer is to look for someone sitting in front of an unpromising looking hole and then ask them. This is a fairly accurate observation. If you see someone that has a day pack and is waiting on the boardwalk you might want to strike up a conversation with them. If they are a gazer they probably will have some ideas about geysers that you could easily see.
Other geysers, besides the must-see Grand, that are predicted, all are worth seeing, are: Daisy, Riverside, Castle and Great Fountain (the last is 8 miles north of Old Faithful on Firehole Lake Drive). Of course, Old Faithful is predicted and you will want to see it but it is also much more frequent and much easier to predict and thus much easier to see than the others so plan accordingly.
If you catch the geyser bug you will want to spend at least a day here, if not you will still need half of a day.
You can call the Old Faithful Visitor Center at (307)545-2750 to get current prediction times. This is very helpful if your time is very limited and you want to see Grand or one of the other geysers but also want to see some other area of the park and so need to decide how to plan your day. If you do call for the predictions also ask about the prediction ranges. The prediction times that they will give you are in the center of the range and it would be a shame if your missed the eruption because you showed up too late.
Many of the predicted geysers only erupt a few times a day. Remember that these are only predictions. Some of the predicted times have ranges of a couple hours or more. It is best to show up during the start of the range and wait. This will help ensure that you will see the geyser, give you a chance to meet your fellow traveler and slow your trip down and make it more relaxing.
(II) GRAND CANYON of the YELLOWSTONE: Take the North Rim Drive stopping at each lookout and then cross the river and go out to Artist Point and take the short level walk to the lookout. This will leave the most spectacular overlook until the last. I have enjoyed the walk down to the lip of the Lower Falls. The Red Rock Trail is almost as nice and gives you a good feeling of being in the canyon. I do not recommend Uncle Tom's Trail unless you really want to take it. There are also trails along both rims of the canyon that can get you away from the crowds. You can get a pamphlet about the canyon and some of the trails in the area, at the Canyon Visitor Center located in Canyon Village.
In the spring and early summer, a nice water fall, Crystal Falls, can be seen along the north side rim trail between the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. This falls is best during high run-off.
A nice picnic area is located along the river upstream from the canyon just after you cross the Chittenden bridge on your way to Artist Point.
You can see the canyon area in a half a day unless you stay with the car then you can rush through in an hour.
(III) FOUNTAIN PAINT POT TRAIL: This short 1/2 mile board walk is located in the Lower Geyser Basin. On the short walk you get to see good examples of most of the types of thermal features in the park. It takes about 1/2 hour to get around this area. Other than the benches around Old Faithful this is where you will probably meet the most people but it is still worth the hassle.
A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available at the trail head.
(3.2) Some of the other interesting sights
The next 13 sights are presented in the order that you would come across them if you were traveling the Grand Loop Road in a clockwise direction starting at Old Faithful. For more on the road see section 7 below.
UPPER GEYSER BASIN: See (I) above.
OLD FAITHFUL INN: Although man made, this 1904 national historic building, located near Old Faithful geyser, is worth walking through. The lobby of the Inn is especially noteworthy. The Inn is the tallest building in the area.
BLACK SAND BASIN: This basin near the Old Faithful overpass has the prettiest easily accessed hot pools in the park.
MIDWAY GEYSER BASIN: This has two of the largest thermal features in the park. Grand prismatic pool is very pretty.
LOWER GEYSER BASIN: This is the most extensive basin in the park covering about 11 square miles. It is home to the Fountain Paint Pots (see above), Fountain Flat Drive (sometimes a very good place to see bison and other wildlife), Firehole Lake Drive and many other geysers and hot springs. Located along Firehole Lake Drive are Great Fountain Geyser (eruption predictions posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and in the summer at the geyser), other pretty pools and geysers and the 3 Senses Nature Trail.
FOUNTAIN PAINT POT TRAIL: See (III) above.
NORRIS GEYSER BASIN: The porcelain overlook trail overlooks an area unlike any other in the park. The back basin trail is also a must. Echinus (e-KI-nus) geyser, times are predicted in the Norris Visitor Center, and Cistern spring are well worth a look. The far side of Cistern is very pretty. Many that see Echinus enjoy its 1 to 45 minute eruptions more than Old Faithful. It will take at least 2 hours here.
A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available just before you reach the museum.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS: The activity here changes quickly. The last time I looked the best activity was from a spring on the east side near where the road comes down the terrace. It is worth walking out to this area and around the terraces in general. A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available at the visito center and at the trail heads.
TOWER FALLS: If you are driving past make certain to stop. The falls overlook is just a short distance from the store parking lot. I also like the view from the bottom but that requires a short hike.
GRAND CANYON of the YELLOWSTONE: See (II) above.
MUD VOLCANO AREA: This area is different than other areas in the park and worth walking through. A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available at the trail head.
YELLOWSTONE LAKE: What can I say? Its a big lake. If there is a storm it can be fun.
WEST THUMB GEYSER BASIN: This basin is located on Yellowstone lake and with this back drop it can be pretty. A pamphlet of this area that describes some of the features and includes a good map is available at the trail head.
The next two items are located in all parts of the park.
WILDLIFE: You should see a lot of wildlife especially bison and elk. BISON are FAST and DANGEROUS so keep your distance from them and other wildlife. Each year a number of visitors get too close to some lazy looking bison and end up getting seriously gored. In the past good areas to see bison and elk were Hayden Valley and Fountain Flat Drive. Try to get out and drive in the early mornings and late afternoon to have the best chance of seeing animals. Look for white pelicans in the Yellowstone river above the canyon and in the lake. Look for trumpeter swans in the slow moving sections of the rivers in the park. Other animals that you have a decent chance of seeing, but it is not guaranteed are: moose, big horn sheep, coyotes, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, grizzly bear, osprey, eagles, hawks, porcupines, ground squires, marmots, beaver and many types of song birds. To get some ideas of where certain types of animals are currently being seen ask the rangers at any of the visitor centers. They might have some ideas. They tend to be hesitant because some people get mad if a wild animal is not exactly where the ranger suggested looking. At this point I will add a note about seeing bears. Before the mid-seventies it was common to see large numbers of bears begging for food along the roads. Starting about 1970 the park service became very serious about prohibiting the feeding of bears. This was done to return the bears to their natural habitat. The program has worked but it now means that it is unusual to see a bear. |
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