USA 2018, (8), to Old Faithful in the snow

Tags

continental divide, Firehole River, Old Faithful, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Upper Geyser Basin, West Thumb Geyser Basin

USA 2018, (8), to Old Faithful in the snow. For our post-prandial walk In the West Thumb Geyer Basin on the Sunday, we were firmly told by Jeremy not only to keep to the boardwalks but to keep to the trampled centres of them. This was perhaps the trickiest walk of the whole trip, in fact. But it wasn’t a very long one, even though some of us stretched it out a little, rejoicing in being out in the falling snow.

Jeremy explains the thermal features

Not frozen because warm

The depth of the snow indicated by its height above the handrail of another boardwalk

Muddy colour because thermal mud is bubbling to the surface

The red poles indicate the width of the boardwalk, but we must keep to the trodden part in the middle. The rest is too soft – as one or two discovered as they tumbled

While I went on further than most, I didn’t go as far as Pam and Don

My main problem was glasses steaming up every time I stopped to take a photo, and their remaining in that state until I could wipe them clear.

 

Leaving the West Thumb Geyser Basin, we turned due westwards to make for the Upper Geyser Basin, and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, where we were to spend the night. We crossed the Pacific/Atlantic continental divide three times during the day, this one being the highest at about 8300 feet/2500 metres. Once arrived at Old Faithful, a few dashed off to catch an eruption of the Old Faithful geyser, which was due to take place in the next few minutes, but most of us held back, preferring to settle in our rooms first.

View from my room

About 30 minutes later we set off for a walk, led by Drew, around the area, aiming to be at the geyser in time to observe the approx. 5 o’clock eruption. Drew explained the various thermal features, of the area, including the colourful bacteria.

“The Firehole River will never freeze”

Why do you take your mittens off?  To take photos – those inner gloves make it bearable!

Once at Old Faithful – oh disappointment. Not only was it not very easy to see much because of the hot mist and snow, but my camera found it impossible to focus at the time of the actual eruption!

Before

During…

…

… and coming to an end

Oh well, I hadn’t come to Yellowstone to see the geyser.  I had come to see the snow and the animals.

 

Little did I know that things were to change radically for the better the following day, Monday.