Thursday, August 2, we headed to Yellowstone National Park to see some of the places we had missed in the past.
Our first stop was Gibbon Falls. The last time we were here the road was being repaired and we could not stop here. Gibbon Falls, located on the Gibbon River is a fantail fan falls, with a height of 84 feet. The original name of the falls on the early maps was "First Canon Falls."
Our second stop was at Artists' Paintpots. This is
a smaller but lovely thermal area. A mile walk trail takes visitors to colorful hot springs, 2 large mud pots and a section of forest burned in 1988. The water in the pools is 171* F and boils at about 197* F at this altitude. The water is slightly acidic, with a pH similar to vinegar.
Next stop was at Roaring Mountain. Geologists Arnold Hague and Walter Weed named this thermal feature in 1885. Hague stated " it takes its name from the shrill, penetrating sound of the steam constantly escaping from one or more vents located near the summit, and on a calm day, or with favorable wind, the rushing of the steam through the narrow orifices can be distinctly heard". It is a barren, furrowed, white
ridge, rising 400 feet from the base. The leaching of sulfuric acid has produced the stark, barren environment.
Our next stop was an animal traffic stop due to a sighting of Moose grazing in a nearby field. I did manage to get a few photo's from a distance, but as usual, there were the crazy folks who ran down into the field to get a closer shot!!!!
We next happened upon Rustic Falls. This falls is a plunge/horsetail/fan with a height of 47 feet. It is a natural falls but rumors persist that it is man-made. These stories probably originated because Glen Creek's flow has been artificially augmented by means of an underground pipe from Indian Creek. Regardless, it is s beautiful waterfall in the park.
Another place that we had never stopped at is Mammoth Hot Springs. Elevation 6,735 feet. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Yellowstone National
Park adjacent to Fort Yellowstone. It was created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate (over two tons flow into Mammoth each day in a solution). Although these springs lie outside the caldera boundary, their energy has been attributed to the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas.
Algae living in the warm pools have tinted the travertine shades of brown, orange, red, and green.
As we continued around the Grand Loop Road, there were elk feeding in the area. They do not seem to care if cars go by, they just continue to graze!
Our next waterfall along the road is Undine (pronounced un deen). This is a multi-step falls that consists of three plunges and
is visible from a roadside overlook. Its height is 60 feet.
Undine Falls appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine in July 1977. Undine was named for wise, usually female water spirits from German mythology who lived around waterfalls and who could gain souls by marrying mortal men. Named in 1885 by geologist Arnold Hague.
A little further along the road is Wraith Falls. It is a short 0.5 mile walk from the parking area. Like an apparition, Wraith falls appears suddenly on the cliff as a white bulb on Lysine Creek. It tumbles over 90 feet, but can dry up in the late summer. The falls is really more of a cascade due to the low slope angle, but appears like a legitimate waterfall when viewed straight on.
Once again, Yellowstone National Park did not fail to impress!!! There is so much to see, we have been here four times and I still do not thing we have seen it all and do justice to the park!!!
Tomorrow we are off to Cody Wyoming, and have to pass through the park once again... we shall see what finds are on the way tomorrow.
Love to all,
Candy and Johnny
