As tradition holds, we find ourselves in Yellowstone during August, 2003.
A sunset at Norris
While Norris Geyser Basin experienced unusual heating from unknown underground sources, this photo was taken from the trail near Steamboat Geyser. To our backs, Steamboat was having minor surges of water about 30-feet high every 90 seconds or so.
Many of the trails were closed in Norris at the time of our visit. It was determined that this heating may be "normal," and that there is no danger of a volcanic eruption. Probably, the cause of the ground temperatures to go high enough to boil an egg, may only be water sources creeping up nearer to the surface, or even a dryer summer. It was not because of a rise in hot, molten magma coming closer underfoot.
Nevertheless, the trail to the back basin was closed as a safety precaution. Scientists swarmed over this back basin area, placing instruments to measure ground and water temperature, and any shaking.
It is true that the Norris Geyser basin and areas west have experienced many minor earthquakes ... but nothing "out of the ordinary." Yellowstone has been noted for movements of magma deep underneath the area which sometimes cause swarms of earthquakes.
The last gasps of an Old Faithful eruption are seen from the side of the Old Faithful Lodge. The sun quietly sets in a cloudy northwest, outlining the steam from Old Faithful.
Of all the areas in Yellowstone, the Old Faithful area provides some of the best views of thermal pools and geysers within walking distance.
We try never to miss an eruption of Grand Geyser. Castle Geyser, too, provides a wonderful show. Our favorite is a "night walk" out in the geyser basin, ... listening to the strange sounds of water, steam, and surprise eruptions. The black skies of Yellowstone make for ideal star viewing.
West Thumb provides a beautiful panorama of Yellowstone Lake. West thumb has shown lots of change over the years. One pool, originally named, "Black Pool," suddenly changed overnight. It grew very hot killing all the dark bacteria that had previously grown unhindered for years. Today, several years after that change, this pool remains very hot and one of the most beautiful at West Thumb. Black Pool is no longer black.
The Firehole River provides some fun for children in a shallow portion of the river. "Building a raft" was the project. Whitney, Spencer, Tim, and Brian with a few other helpers are making the raft.
While the Firehole River gets it's name by the fact it drains hundreds of hot springs and geysers; it actually is fairly cold -- enough to take your breath away when jumping in.
There are hot springs which lie under the river bed, so some caution must always be taken.
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