Yellowstone in Winter - Part 6 - Thermal Features

Thursday, 25 January 2018

On our way from Mammoth to Old Faithful, we made short stops at Roaring Mountain and Blacksand Pool, and took more time at the Norris Geyser Basin.

Roaring Mountain is the first thermal feature you encounter heading south from Mammoth Hot Springs. The mountain is full of "roaring" fumaroles.

Steam escaping from the vents coats nearby trees with rime (frost, hoarfrost).

Our next stop was the Norris Geyser Basin. This is an overview of Porcelain Springs.

A milky turquoise pool in Porcelain Springs.

Frost and snow coat rocks near Steamboat Geyser. Steamboat is the tallest geyser in the park, with eruptions measured to 300 ft. It erupts at unpredictable intervals. The most recent major eruption was on 3 September 2014. 

More "snow caps" near Steamboat Geyser. I think these look like very large mushrooms.

A steam and water vent just below Steamboat Geyser. I loved the red color in the vent.

Trees with large accumulations of rime in the Norris Basin.

Our final stop before Old Faithful was Blacksand Pool, where we laid on the warmish ground to feel and hear distinct thumps as gases exploded below and made their way to the pool. Yellowstone uses all your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch -- taste isn't generally recommended!) to experience its wonders.

We circumnavigated Old Faithful while waiting for the eruption. The historic Old Faithful Inn in the background is closed in the winter.

The Chinese (Laundry) Spring is between Old Faithful and the Firehole River (in the background). The pool is just the right size and temperature for a laundry tub, and in the early days of the park, it was used to launder clothes.

Just before sunset, Old Faithful erupted. It was difficult to see the steam and water in a snowfall against a gray sky.