While collating my experiences, I do want to mention that everyone is perfectly imperfect and so am I, yet I am proud of who I am. What more important is that I overcome my inhibitions quickly and take the strings of life in my stride. So, when I started to write this post on Yellowstone National Park, I had forgotten the complications of stitching the scientific piece with the ergonomic experience of the visit to YNP. Nonetheless, I want to kick it off, probably that's why there's a mention of imperfectly perfect existence of human kind :) Happy Reading!
Summer often rejuvenates oneself, and you want to head out exploring nature to the best of your abilities. And here we were in the year 2021, mid June pondering upon our destinations. We quickly won a debate on deciding the next vacation point. The debate was to choose Denver or Yellowstone National Park. With the ardent love for nature, it was an easy choice! Yellowstone National Park is like no other National Park in the world (from mostly many that I have covered Sequoia, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Colorado Rocky Mountains, The Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and now the Yellowstone and The Grand Teton to name a few). It is the first national park in the U.S. established in 1872, and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. There is ton of knowledge about it, don’t want to give you all that info, but the fact is what meets the eye. And truly you know it when you see it. So we headed out to the excursion in summer of 2021.
Here is a typical view that comes to your mind when you think of YNP. Yes Geysers!
Geysers - The first view of such a kind in a row at the west entrance of the YNP
One typically crosses the four states of the US during this trip. So did we! We crossed four states in the visit of Yellowstone National Park(YNP) and the Grand Teton National Park(GTNP). Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. That’s probably another reason for the trip to be special besides the world known fact that YNP has world’s largest group of hydrothermal features. Huge volcanic eruptions occurred here, center of what is now the park collapsed, forming a caldera or basin. The heat powering these eruptions still fuels the park’s Geysers, Hot Springs, Fumaroles, Travertine Terraces and Mud pots. Did I mention all the five pristine features? You will see each one of them in the post here. I will try to make it as simple for you as I could, when I first faced them.
Known for its hydrothermal features, I must mention that the park’s ecosystem supports a variety of habitats that sustain diverse wildlife like Bison 🦬, elk, grizzly & black bears 🐻, wolves, trumpeter swans 🦢 and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Yellowstone River, the River Madison and the various vistas of the waterfalls embarked pretty strong within us.
To be true, I remember we all had a hang over after a week of coming back. Kids could not resist boating and paddling in the snake river with binoculars around their neck.
We are mostly prepared with downloaded offline maps at such places as there can be no dependency on the internet or even the mobile signal for that matter. However, for the first time we got introduced to the app 'Gypsy' and we loved it. Gypsy app rocks the drive throughout the trip just like a virtual guide riding along with you. He zests and plays it simple. Hell yeah, I needed it, you will need it, they must all need it.
Mesa Falls, Ashton, ID
We flew from Dallas to Salt Lake City, drove from SLC to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. With that kind of schedule, Mesa Falls in Ashton, ID was a pleasant and gigantic stop for us. I would say a must stop on the scenic byway. Glad we stopped here because it not only enchanted us with its musical fall but also put us at ease and at much needed relaxation.
1. Geysers
A geyser is a spring characterized by an intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by steam.
The Old Faithful
I had often practiced the comprehension passages with my son during his speech delayed days. The Old Faithful has always been his favorite passage to complete successfully. In YNP, we both felt like working practicals into theory lessons.
Old Faithful Geyser erupts more frequently than any other geyser in YNP. They say it gushes out approximately 8,000 gallons of streaming hot water in one eruption that lasts 1.5 to 5 min. Popular and world renowned.
Below you will find the famous Old Faithful Inn, outside and inside view. No, we couldn't spare time to be proactive enough to book a place like this. Simply Extravagant!
Inside View
Giant Geyser
Giant Geyser is the largest in the world reaching eruptions up to 300 ft.
The Upper Geyser Basin
The upper geyser basin had great views of the snake river too. My little girl couldn't stop modeling.
A tip to enjoy the park is to have an open mind to explore nature, rest of the walk/hike and run is not of much relevance here as the hydrothermal features are way much empowered to rule.
The Grotto
The grotto was exceptional geyser in its own sculptures way. Wouldn't hurt to say that it seemed spooky and horrific in there.
2. Hot Springs
A hot spring, hydro thermal spring or a geothermal spring is a spring produced by the mergence of the geothermal heated groundwater onto the surface of the earth.
Morning Glory
The morning glory is a Hot Spring in the YNP upper geyser basin. It was exceptionally pretty in looks as vibrant as a lovely morning. Mine and I'mSuhana's favorite
The Grand Parismatic Spring
One of the largest hot spring 200-300 ft in diameter and more than 121c ft deep. Hot springs are most common hydrothermal features in YNP. How do they get that color? Good Question! Well, these hydrothermal activities breed microscopic organisms that are called thermophiles and they are nourished by energy and chemical building blocks. Trillions grouped together appear as masses of colors - orange /brown/ purple/ green /yellow. Too small to be seen with naked eye.
It seemed for us that we are re-living the practicals and lab time for all our chemistry and scientific theoretical study. Now this could be something that allures kids to perform chemistry labs, wouldn't it?
Maybe a picture that brings a family in the foreground and the grand hot spring in the backdrop will help, isn't it? You name it and I have it...lol.
Mammoth Hot Springs
A network of fractures and fissures form the plumbing system that allows hot water from underground to reach the surface at Mammoth Hot Springs. Small earthquakes may keep the plumbing open. The water comes from rain and snow falling on surrounding mountains and seeping deep into the earth where it is heated.
The volcanic heat source for Mammoth Hot Springs remains somewhat of a mystery.
My experience says that until you see these features you don't dare to understand what goes behind them. I am only trying to prep you. That's it!
Heavenly views all around 360 degrees.
Sapphire Pool
Steam rising from the deep blue water of the Sapphire pool.
3. Fountain Paint Pots
These mud pots are acidic hot springs with limited water supply. Acid from volcanic gases and microorganisms decompose the surrounding rock into clay and mud.
West Geyser Basin
The West Thumb Geyser basin. Daddy is always the walking encyclopedia. Did you know that a certain portion of the Yellowstone lake does not freeze at all inspire of the place reaching -40C!!!!
The Black Pool
The beauty of the west geyser basin is the array of the different hot springs laid out for you in an exhibit, seemed manually arranged, though we know that it's all nature created.
The Grand Canyon Overlook
Now the travelers who have been to the Grand Canyon National Park may kill me to quote this, however my friends, we too were amazed to see the view of the snake river drifting away through the peaks of canyons in Yellowstone National Park.
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, that a woman who enjoys traveling with family can be happy anywhere whether it's rain, heat, fire, thunderstorm or for that matter hydrothermal features!!!! Who cares!
Me in myself at lower brink falls of the Grand Canyon YNP
4. Travertine Terraces
Travertine terraces are formed from the limestone (calcium carbonate), water rises through the limestone carrying high amounts of dissolved calcium carbonate. At the surface carbon dioxide is released and cilium carbonate is deposited forming travertine the chalky white surfaces of the terraces. Due to rapid rate of deposition, these features constantly and quickly change.
The walk through the travertine terraces and mud pots was that of a fairy tale. The click below is one valuable chronicle of a lifetime!
5. Fumaroles (Steam Vents)
Fumaroles or steam vents, are the hottest hydrothermal features in the park. The limited amount of water flashes into steam before reaching the surface. The result is a loud hissing of steam and gases. Also called the roaring mountain
Bobby Socks
Bobby socks burnt trees. See the tree base…
Dead lodgepole pines near some hydrothermal areas look as if they are wearing white anklet socks, at one time called “bobby socks.” The dead trees soak up the mineral-laden water. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind, turning the lower portion of the trees white.
Snake River
Throughout the Yellowstone National Park, you will be tied like a buddy like that of the snake river. It will flow either on your left or your right side. Wonderful friend to drive through with.
The Gibbon Falls
Madison River
Natural Beauty & Wildlife
Bison
Yellowstone popular forte is its wildlife. Bisons at Hayden Valley are adorably cute..❤️ they usually shed their fur this time of the year. Babies were sitting next to their mums 😊. I made sure I had the furry Bison memento when head back to Dallas.
One of them found in the Mud Pot close to Mammoth Springs. Watch their skin shedding off the fur this time of the year.
Elks
Seems like a fairy tale to see wild creatures in their most beautiful habitat!
Antelopes
Huckleberries
A little bit of shopping and acclaiming soveniours is only a materialistic takeaway besides the hundreds of momentous life touching experiences that will remain close to my heart. Talking of takeaways, I recall how I almost lost my phone at this soveniour shop. When I was ready to pay for the huckleberry jelly and Turtle Moose Tracks ice cream, I realized I did not have my iPhone in my hand. They say like people meet people likewise. Such great customer service and hospitality melted my heart. The person at the counter rushed to look for it at the backdoor. Someone had dropped it off as lost and found an hour ago. I happened to drop it while trying those YNP T-Shirts and there goes the story!
Highlights of this shop were all around 'Huckleberry'. What are those? Huckleberries are a wild blue-or black- berry. Although very similar in taste to that of any other blueberry, raspberry, the big difference is the seeds within the huckleberry that give it a crunchy texture when fresh and its thicker skin.
Turtle Moose Tracks Ice- cream
Lost iPhone :( Incident
Huckleberries have been a staple of life for Northwest and Rocky Mountain Native American tribes for thousands of years. They grow on bushes at high elevations above 5,000 feet, and can’t be commercially grown. Because they’re wild, they’re free of chemicals and fertilizers. Did you know that Huckleberries are one of the grizzly bear’s favorite foods, consisting of up to 1/3 of their sustenance. Starting around midsummer, grizzly bears begin feeding on strawberry, globe huckleberry, grouse whortleberry, and buffaloberry! A fun fact isn't it?
A MUST HAVE FAMILY PIC!
Plan your trip soon!