good-times-rollin

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Yellowstone: Old Faithful

Buffalo Run RV Park
Island Park, ID
July 25, 2019

Island Park, ID was the next stop on our summer vacation. I made reservations with plans to visit three places in Yellowstone NP...Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lamar Valley. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans ! I didn't do my research... little did I know that Island Park has the longest Main Street in the world (so they say). It is 33 miles long !

Since Buffalo Run, our RV park, was on the extreme western end of Main Street, it added 33 miles distance to planned eastern bound destinations. So, trips to Mammoth Hot Springs 80 miles (2 hours) away, Lamar Valley 104 miles (2 1/2 hours) away were cancelled. We decided Old Faithful at 64 miles (1 and 1/2 hours) away was a must do.

Yellowstone NP archives photo taken in May, 2012

Back in May of 2012, Joe and I rode the Harley form Cody to Yellowstone so I can't say 2019 was our first visit to our country's first national park.

Yellowstone NP archives photo taken in May, 2012

The east entrance had just opened that day. We saw a frozen Yellowstone Lake and lots of bison.

Old Faithful has been on the "I must go there list" for a long time. Geysers are rare features. Only about 1,000 exist in the world with more than half of those located in Yellowstone.

So, on the morning of July 25 we set out at 5:30 am...it was a chilly 34 degrees... hoping to beat the crowds. We enjoyed a nice sunrise along the way.

Once in the park, the drive was amazing...

Old Faithful parking lot...

We saw a moose cross the road and a bison grazing beside the road, but pictures were blurry.
And we arrived to an almost empty parking lot...off to a good start !

We had Old Faithful all to ourselves !

From here we had an interesting walk (5 miles RT) with Morning Glory Pool our destination. We took the counterclockwise direction. In 1982, The Old Faithful Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Old Faithful Inn opened in 1904 and the entire area encompasses 160 acres.

I was surprised to find that geysers have names. I don't remember most of those of names, but a few did stick out.

Grotto Geyser is the most unusual thermal feature in Yellowstone.

Giant Geyser is a cone shaped geyser and the second tallest geyser in the world.

Tardy Geyser is a fountain-type geyser. The water is cooler in the dark orange band and more bacteria can live there making the color so vivid. The "microbial mats" are orange and red in the summer and usually dark green in the winter. The color depends on the temp of the water (around 149 degrees) in the summer making it cooler than the water closer to the center. That cooler water is home to more and different bacteria than those found near the eruption site.

Nature...not only art, but easy cool too!

Riverside Geyser is located on the Firehole River. It is also a cone-type geyser.

A Ranger arrived and said the geyser would erupt at anytime, so we waited. The gurgling was a sure sign and Riverside Geyser is a relatively predictable he said.

I am so glad we waited (maybe 20 minutes or so). It shoots steam and water to about 75 feet and its duration is about half an hour. It was picture perfect as the water arched over the river. My first geyser eruption !

Morning Glory Pool is a hot spring also located in the Upper Geyser Basin. It was named "Convolutus" in 1883...the Latin name for the morning glory flower. That name didn't stick long as it was soon referred to Morning Glory Pool...thank goodness !

The gorgeous aqua color at the center is just above the underground water source and that is where the temps are the hottest...up to 189 degrees. The water is too hot for most bacteria, therefore it is very clear water. When light hits the water, it looks blue since blue light scatters the most. It is so sad to read the "interpretive signs" placed at the pool that discuss the damage caused by ignorance and vandalism. It seems objects thrown into the pool have reduced the hot water supply and in turn is fading the beautiful aqua color.

It was such a wonderful morning...the air was crisp, the skies were blue, the colors were stunning, and we didn't even mind the occasional "stinky" smells as we took our time exploring Upper Geyser Canyon. Our reward at the end of the walk was an erupting Old Faithful !

And what a difference a few hours makes !

On the way home, we took a short side spur to see Fireside Lake Road.

Fireside Lake

Young Hopeful Geyser

Great Fountain Geyser on Fireside Lake Rd. is the only Lower Geyser Basin feature that the park makes predictions for.

White Dome Geyser on Fireside Lake Rd. erupted just as we were driving by.

So Yellowstone was not a total bust. And I have lots of information for when we return next time for a visit to the north park. Our stay in Island Park, ID turned out to be a busy week as there is lots to see and do in the area. More on that next time.

I will close with a few more pictures from our West Yellowstone visit...

Old Faithful

Firehole River

Beauty Pool

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !

Monday, August 19, 2019

Grand Teton NP: Three More Hikes

Colter Bay RV Campground
July 9-22
Grand Teton NP

Although this is the last post for our visit to the Tetons, I could go on and on. Joe and I both enjoyed our time there as much as if not more than any other place we have gone. Not only was the scenery breathtaking, there was wildlife, wildflowers, hiking, and history all within a 30 minute drive. Unlike a lot of National Parks where you might drive for an hour or more to a destination, everything we wanted to see and do was close enough to enjoy.

Three more hikes Joe and I enjoyed:

1. Swan Lake/Heron Pond Loop (July 10)
Swan Lake/Heron Pond Loop trail is accessed from Colter Bay making it a great first hike in the Tetons. The loop from the trailhead is 3.3 miles, but we totaled 5.5 as we started from home. The mostly level trail begins on an old service road with views of Mt Moran (12,605 ft.) and Jackson Lake.

Jackson Lake with Mt. Moran in the background...

At the first juncture, Joe and I veered left in a counterclockwise direction.

Never have I seen so many lily pads...

A spur trail along Swan Lake...

If you squint your eyes, you can see an otter...

This cutie was determined to swim away from his mama...

The trail wandered through a pine forest and meadow to reach Heron Lake. And being our first hike, we were bear ready !

The wildflowers were colorful and plentiful...

Heron Pond was quite scenic.

Much to my delight a gaggle of geese was visiting Heron Pond too and some of them were close to shore.

Just as we were about to leave, a few American
White Pelicans swooped in. They were pretty far away...

After working up an appetite, we enjoyed the pizza at the Cafe Court Pizzeria at Colter Bay before walking home. Made to order and yummy !

2. Death Canyon Trail (July 15)

Death Canyon Trail system is a popular backpacking/overnight trail. It's one of those strenuous hikes that goes on and on for miles and miles.

We didn't do that, but chose instead to hike to the Phelps Lake Campground for a hike just under 6 miles RT. It wasn't a flat hike and we were definitely "feeling" it. The trail starts out as a steady climb through a lodgepole pine forest and a few aspen groves.

We reached the Phelps Lake overlook at about a mile.

From the overlook it was all down hill and you know exactly what we were thinking...what goes down has to go up !

And we didn't have this view on the return uphill.

We were getting closer and closer to the lake, but after a left hand turn that took us through a meadow we soon found ourselves in a dark, forest full of aggravating and very thirsty mosquitoes. That is where we turned around !

Well, it seemed dark and scary at the time.

A few pretty things to focus on rather than the up climb...

3. Top of the World (July 16)
One of the funnest days we had was the hike we took at the top of Rendevous Mountain. Rendevous Mt. is Jackson Hole Ski Resort. It is enjoyed year round by skiers and hikers. So how do you reach the 10,450 summit? You can hike or you can take the tram.

We chose the tram because in just 12 minutes, the Aerial Tram glides skyward 4,139 feet.

At half way, as we were going up, we met the other tram coming down.

Looking up...

Looking down...

Our choice for a hike was Top of the World.

Top of the World is a short 2 mile hike packed full of gorgeous vistas...

...and when we were there, packed full of alpine wildflowers. Only a few inches tall these delicate, yet strong flowers have a short growing time and spread so much joy...well at least to us ! A few of many pictures I took...

There was even wildlife at over 10,000 feet !

Another great reason to take the tram to the summit is Corbet's Cabin (built in the 1960s). It is nothing fancy or big, but full of character, smiling folks, scenic views, and best of all...waffles.

The speciality is light, crispy, warm delicious waffles made to order. I had mine topped with brown sugar and butter. They are served sandwich style wrapped in tin foil. Still makes my mouth water !

Our adventure to Rendezvous Mountain will definitely be repeated if we ever find ourselves back in The Tetons.

This sums up our adventures and activities for The Tetons. I have said it before and I will say it again, it was a wonderful 13 days. I will close with a few more of hundreds of pictures I have.