"The Whole Interruption" Hike

There's a lone geyser about 4 miles from Old Faithful that requires a 2 and 1/2 mile hike in to see.  It's on an old roadbed that follows the river most of the way with lots of river side flowers.  We started in cool chilly weather with the threat of rain and a little bear anxiety.  It didn't last long though as a family soon followed us with twin boys about age 4.  Their chatter would have frightened any bear in a 5 mile radius.  It hastened our trip a little too.  After the river bridge crossing we took time for some photos.

The river became a little more distant and opened to a beautiful meadow where sandhill cranes and elk are sometimes seen.

By this time we were about a mile from the geyser and we thought it might erupt as early as 11 am so we had about 1/2 hour to hustle there.  We could hear the twins coming too so we didn't linger.  The roadbed soon ended at a clearing in the woods as the land rose to a geyser hill before us.  We had been there about 5 minutes when the twins arrived.  We were sitting on a log for a snack when one twin joined us full of questions about why this geyser was out here all by itself etc.,etc.  Before we could answer the geyser began to rumble and puff and spout.

The father of the twins offered to take a photo for us in the midst of the 22 minute eruption.  We watched in total amazement at the shower of water and steam that blew across the hill and filled the creeks running to the river.  In minutes the twins were running down the creek and checking the water temperature.  (Just like some other twins I remember so well!!!!)

When the water blasts slowed and the steam phase started the twins were hustled away to continue their hike to Old Faithful, but not before our new little friend yelled, "But I want to see the whole interruption!"    Even their distracted mother chuckled at this one and off they went.  We stayed for the whole interruption.

Even the steam phase was dramatic!  Our return hike was much more leisurely without an eruption timeline or anyone following us.  We only had to resort to loud conversation and clapping a few times at blind corners in very beary spots.  It was a wonderful hike and our first five miler together in a very long time.

Just down the road from the Lone Star Geyser Trailhead is Kepler Cascades.  My sister Ann  had seen great photos of this spot before we left home and had me put it on the list.  It is a beautiful canyon and very long cascade.  My photo couldn't begin to show it off, but it is a magical place!  Thanks, Ann!

This is the same river we had hiked along to the Lone Star Geyser.  It journeys on to the Old Faithful area after the Cascade.  We are beginning to get a map in our minds and under foot for all the river connections in the Park.  So much to see and learn!

Hikes - High and Low

Yellowstone, like the Grand Canyon, has a North Rim and South Rim too!  The Yellowstone River Canyon has a drive and a trail to explore on each side of the canyon.  We've made 2 hikes on the North Rim, one to near the base of the Lower Falls and another to the brink of the Upper Falls.  ( The Lower Falls is the one most pictured-especially the art of Thomas Moran.)

There's a snow bank still visible to the right.  Click on the photo for a better look.  The short hike down to Red Rock Point ends in a series of steps after a series of switchbacks.  Well worth the climb out!

A few weeks later we started the North Rim Trail where it begins and followed the quiet Yellowstone River on an old roadbed to where it narrows and drops 100 feet in the Upper Falls.

The drop is beginning here and becomes a tremendous roar as it goes over the falls in a short twist among huge rocks.

We hiked on to Crystal Falls in a cool forest glen with only a few folks around.  It was a peaceful spot after the crowds at the Brink of the Upper Falls Overlook.

Notice the little pool and second fall on the right about midway down.  I think the 'little people' bathe there.

My first Ranger Hike in the Park was at Geyser Hill an area behind Old Faithful that has a loop boardwalk passing many springs and geysers.  We had a group of about 20 and a young ranger who forgot to introduce himself.  I thought about our routine at Heceta Head making that part of our welcome!! 

The Ranger warned us at the start that most of his tours had to be re-routed due to wildlife.  This tour was true to form.

We watched people walk up behind the bison trying to get photos and our ranger sent them back.  It was only a few days after the 2nd goring at Old Faithful.  We had to retrace our steps- about 2/3 of the tour- but I was happy to return to 2 of my favorites.  Here's Anemone Geyser which erupted just as the ranger finished his talk.  It seemed as if on cue.

And here's Doublet Pool- my most favorite!  There are 2 of these beauties linked together.

The photo through the steam can't touch the rich aqua blue and the peach and white crust.  The colors are created by micro plants called thermophiles.  See what I learned!  Thanks, Ranger!