After a leisurely morning in Madison camp ground, we explored the southern section of Yellowstone. We got very lucky with the weather, as the bright sun helped to highlight the amazing colors presented by the many hydro thermal creatures in this section of the park.
So far we are only about a 12 hour’s drive from home, but it feels like we are on another planet. I half expect to see a dinosaur in the background behind the geysers and steaming vents. Yellowstone is definitely a must see destination—especially if you are within reasonable driving distance!
We spent about 6 hours just in a 20 mile section of the park (from Madison Campground to Old Faithful). We stopped at every available geyser, thermal feature, and lookout that was open this early in the season, and were not disappointed by any of the viewpoints or trails!
Beautiful colors created by “Extremophiles” and other organisms feeding off of the extreme heat generated by the hot springs.Mud Pot Springs– very appropriately named! This is one of the many hydrothermal features along the painted pots trail.A surreal landscape with a spewing hot fountain geyser along the Painted Pots Trail.A great picture of Leah next to an impressive fountain geyser along the painted pots trail.Another amazing backdrop centered around a colorful hot spring.Another vantage point for the Grand Prismatic Spring.Leah standing in front of the Grand Prismatic [hot] spring. It is a temperature of 147-188* F!Andy and the Grand Prismatic!Leah next to another Hot spring– the fog is both hot & very smelly, giving off major whiffs of sulfur.I’m not sure what this is called, but we photographed it because it reminded us of coral.Small eruption bubbling out of the geyser.A hot spring run off into nearby creek.The dead trees give an ominous feel to this setting. Interestingly, the hot spring causes Calcium Carbonate to soak into the tree’s veins, preserving the tree and preventing rot.
