Nature in Yellowstone and Tetons

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Tuesday, 15 September 2009 - Arrived in Jackson Hole on a wet, cloudy day, drove up to Yellowstone in the rain, checked into the Old Faithful Inn, watched multiple eruptions of Old Faithful, explored the Upper Geyser Basin including Castle Geyser, Morning Glory Pool, Grotto Geyser, and Chromatic Pool, photographed Firehole Creek, and enjoyed the rustic lodge and views from the Inn after a long day of geothermal sightseeing.

wyoming2009 — We arrived in Jackson Hole on a very wet and cloudy day. This is Jackson Lake with the Grand Tetons in the clouds. We had a long ride up to Yellowstone in the rain.

wyoming2009 — We checked in and asked about Old Faithful - it was to erupt in 15 minutes. So we hurried to the benches surrounding the geyser and stood with several hundred others waiting for the show.

Like clockwork, Old Faithful erupts every 90 minutes or so. This was the first of several eruptions we were to observe. In the Old Faithful Inn the time for the next eruption is posted and all activity surrounds the eruptions. Everyone goes out to see the eruption and then back in after the eruption is over.

wyoming2009 — After the initial taste of geothermal events with Old Faithful we went on a walk of the Upper Geyser Basin region to see the other geysers.

This is Castle Geyser that is pretty old based on the 12-foot cone. The cone height means 5000 years of continuous activity. During our stay it spouted a bit but did not erupt - it is very irregular in eruptions - but was just sending small bursts or water and steam into the air.

wyoming2009 — Virginia Ann took many of the photos on our trip. This was her first time taking photographs on a family vacation. She did an excellent job - looking for more of her shots during the trip.

wyoming2009 — This is the photo she took looking down the Firehole River north from the Upper Geyser Basin.

wyoming2009 — At the far end of the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk is Morning Glory Pool, which is a hot spring with wonderful colors.

wyoming2009 — Morning Glory Pool has great access with the boardwalk on two sides. The colors are from bacteria in the spring.

Photo by Virginia Ann

wyoming2009 — Grotto Geyser erupts about every eight hours. We did not see an eruption on our visit. The weirdly shaped cone that gives this geyser its name may have resulted from geyserite covering the trunks of trees that once grew there.

wyoming2009 — Giant Geyser - not really an eruption but a little hot water activity. It has a huge cone of 12 feet. The water simply gurgled up inside the cone. It has sporadic eruptions, and this was all we were able to experience.

wyoming2009 — Chromatic Pool its temperature ranges from 164-175 degrees.

wyoming2009 — A little spring in the Upper Geyser Basin near the boardwalk. It is so tiny - about 2 feet across and a cute little spring. These types of small geothermal features were everywhere. I guess it is hard to name them all.

wyoming2009 — Old Faithful late in the day - we happened up on the grand old dame as we returned from exploring the Upper Geyser basin. This was taken from some distance away from Geyser Hill.

Virginia Ann went ahead and explored the path back to the hotel.

wyoming2009 — Virginia Ann taking photos of Firehole Creek - shot by Cal from Geyser Hill.

wyoming2009 — Virginia Ann caught Cal moving along the boardwalk on the other side of the Firehole River up on Geyser Hill.

We were watching each other from across the Firehole River to see who might get a better shot.

wyoming2009 — Firehole Creek flows through the Upper Geyser Basin providing drainage for all the water features. Hot water flows down to the river mixing with the mountain water.

wyoming2009 — While in Yellowstone we stayed at the Old Faithful Inn

The rustic-style lodge, with log and wood shingle exterior is located adjacent to the world famous Old Faithful Geyser. The original part of the Inn, known as the "Old House" was completed in 1904 and includes an immense lobby with a huge stone fireplace.

On our last day we would be invited to take the flags down way at the top of the hotel.

wyoming2009 — Old Faithful Geyser steaming

Old Faithful Inn

wyoming2009 — With its spectacular log and limb lobby and massive (500-ton, 85-foot) stone fireplace, the inn is a prime example of the "Golden Age" of rustic resort architecture, a style which is also known as National Park Service Rustic. It is also unique in that it is one of the few log hotels still standing in the United States.

wyoming2009 — The structure is the largest log hotel in the world. The atrium rises five stories in the lobby.

wyoming2009 — We stayed in the newer East Wing in a room which faced Old Faithful Geyser. We could see the geyser from each window.

The only downside to the Old Faithful Inn was dining. There is very limited seating and unless you made reservations when you booked your room you will not get into the dining room at a reasonable time. There are no other options, so we ate at 9:30 - 10:00 each night. And the food is not worth the wait.

wyoming2009 — Sunset with the steam from the Castle Geyser through the trees. All day Castle Geyser sent steam and a little water into the air.

This picture was taken while we drank a Teton Ale on the Old Faithful Inn patio which has a spectacular view of the geyser area. A wonderful place to unwind after a long day hiking the Upper Geyser basin.

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