USA - Yellowstone pt1

We entered Yellowstone through the east entrance (out of five entrances), arriving from Cody. We gradually climbed to the altitude of 2500+ meters, so at some point there was quite a lot of snow. Yellowstone is a big plateau, elevated by the volcanic activity below it, but once you arrive in the park, there aren’t many mountainous peaks or deep valleys.

overview of the Yellowstone lake and the plateau in general

first signs of underlaying geothermal activity next to the lake

The park is enormous (bigger than some of the eastern states), and distances between various points of interest are quite big. It’s mostly a big forest with some geothermal features, waterfalls, plains filled with bisons and other goodies scattered around. We managed to come at a right moment - at the end of May, the season isn’t exactly started yet, so there wasn’t as many people as, say, in July, but the temperatures are already nice and the snow clears from the trails. After being welcomed by the frozen Yellowstone lake, we first stopped at West Thumb - a not-so-big area with hot springs and small geysers on the lakeshore.

elks profit from the warmness of the springs

little geyser just next to the shore

Antoine admires a hole in the ground

On our way to the Upper Geyser Basin, where the famous Old Faithful is, we crossed the Continental Divide - the hydrological line that divides the areas from which waters drain either to the Atlantic or to the Pacific Ocean. Americans seem to really like their Continental Divide and they mark it wherever they can.

Old Faithful is located in the western part of the park, around 40km from the West Thumb and Yellowstone lake. The surrounding area is very developed - there’s a huge hotel (wooden, from early 20th century), visitor center, shops and restaurants. Old Faithful explodes each 90 minutes or so, so there’s always a crowd of people waiting for the spectacle. It isn’t very big though - the Geysir in Iceland is more impressive. The number of other geysers and hot springs in the neighbourhood is, however, unparalleled, and there are kilometers of paths that zigzag about them.

Old Faithful exploding

Beavers chill in the sun next to trees killed by geyser exhausts

The Morning Glory was once one of the most beautiful hot spring, a deep blue bottomless abyss with all the colors of the rainbow. Unfortunately, lot of trash felt or was thrown into it (coins for good luck!), and despite removing kilos of it every year, the temperature went down, and the glory is gone.

Daisy Geyser exploding

Castle Geyser

To see the Grand Prismatic Spring, the most interesting feature of the park, we had to drive 20 more kilometers through the dense forest. The parking of the Middle Geyser Basin fills up quickly even outside of the season - we had to wait in a queue to park. As opposed to the Upper Geyser Basin, there are just a couple of hot springs here, but they are all very big and colorful and overall great. A path from a bit farther away leads above the Eye and provides great views over the basin.

Excelsior spring

Grand Prismatic Spring from the ground level…

…and from above

Driving further through the park, we encountered many smaller springs, geysers and also mugpods here and there.

driving through the forest

smoky landscape

bubbling mudpot

at the campsite inside the park; the big metal boxes are bear boxes, where you can hide your food so that bears don't come and eat it (useful especially for people with tents).