USA 2018 (9) Old Faithful!

08 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by Musiewild in Countryside views, Geology, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

Tags

Bison, Bombadier, Old Failthful, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Snowmobile, Sprinter, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park

USA 2018 (9) Old Faithful! Monday 19th February was the very best day for me on the Yellowstone adventure, in terms of experiences. Masses of snow on the ground, none falling, Old Faithful, clear skies for much of the time, excellent wildlife sightings, and I had the privilege of being in the seat beside the driver all day. We were not due to leave until 10 a.m., but baggage had to be outside our rooms for collection by 7 a.m., so there was no chance of a lie-in. I chose not to go out for a group walk at 8.00 a.m., so was able to enjoy a somewhat more leisurely breakfast than usual. I heard a rumour that Old Faithful was due to blow next at around 9.00. (Formal predictions don’t start until a little later in the day.) I was planning to go out for a little walk on my own before departure, so my destination was clear.

Quietly steaming away

False alarm

Around 9.15, she did blow. I tried a couple of videos.

I’ve since read that the difference between the temperature of the emerging steam and that of the ambient atmosphere on a really cold day can be some 115 deg C/240 deg F.

I dawdled back to Snow Lodge.

A snow plough had cleared a broad path – the bank seen here came almost up to my waist.

We shortly set off in our Sprinter, a yellow one this time. (All our vehicles were Sprinters; they were just adapted for different road conditions.) Maximum speed allowed: 25 mph, but we were able to do considerably less for most of the time – all the better for enjoying the views.

The eye can disregard the smoked glass of the windscreen, the camera does not lie.

Bison enjoying the steam/water vapour – I am reminded of the picture at the Museum in Jackson Hole.

Snowmobiles and a Bombadier, the predecessor of our snowcoaches

Some had seen bison on their walk earlier in the morning. I saw my first on this drive.

Some found their faces menacing. I thought they were lovely and gentle – though it was safer to take these pictures through a wound-down window! The animals were just feet away.

This video shows one of them using its strong neck muscles to shovel the snow out of the way with its muzzle to reach the vegetation.

It’s only 11.30. Such a full day still to come!

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

07 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by Musiewild in Countryside views, Geology, Photography, Travel

≈ 13 Comments

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!