Yellowstone started opening for the summer season on a staggered schedule April 20. We can only get to Mammoth, Norris, Canyon, and Old Faithful this first week in May, but before the crowds start, let’s enjoy the Old Faithful area. Although there are a lot less people, spring weather has been elusive. Today’s forecast predicts partly sunny skies, very light wind, and temps to about 50°, so it looks like a spring day. Let’s go see some geysers!
Even long-time visitors to the Old Faithful area head to the Visitor’s Center. At the Ranger’s Information Desk we’ll check the anticipated eruption times for the more predictable geysers and plan our walk around that schedule. Old Faithful is the most predictable geyser. Currently they say eruptions every 98 minutes +/- 10 minutes, but that can change. Surprise, you can watch Old Faithful anytime online. Let’s head to Geyser Hill for a different view of Old Faithful. We have about 20 minutes so let’s go!
This is a pretty spectacular eruption. Although Old Faithful can send water as high as 184 feet, the average height is about 140 feet. How high is this one? I have no idea and am terrible at estimating distance in any direction so I’m not the one to ask. We’ll just enjoy. Eruption time is between 1.5 and 5 minutes. Old Faithful is a cone-type geyser, see the cone? The amount of water expelled in this longer eruption can be 8,400 gallons of boiling water. Since Old Faithful’s elevation is 7,349 feet, water’s boiling point is about 197°, but the temperature of the steam can be above 350°. So keep your distance and stay safe. All geysers and hot springs are bubbling because they are boiling! How are eruption predictions made? I’ll let Ranger Darlene Bos explain.
We are hoping to see Grand Geyser erupt. Last time we waited 45 minutes after the predicted eruption time and it didn’t erupt for another two hours. We had already left that day so are hopeful today. We arrive at Gand within five minutes of the predicted eruption time of 12:30pm, and my friend said, “Well, we are here . . . so?” Grand erupted. Her mojo is working today!
It is called Grand for a reason. Grand Geyser is the tallest predictable geyser in the world. It is a fountain-type geyser erupting from a large pool that typically looks like any other hot spring. As a result it erupts in large, powerful bursts instead of a steady column from a cone like Old Faithful. Grand can send boiling water between 150- 200 feet high. Eruptions usually last between 7-12 minutes.
Grand Geyser is connected to many other hydrothermal features, most notably Vent and Turban Geysers. We can’t see Turban hidden in the steam, but Vent Geyser is to the left erupting on it own. See it?
Vent Geyser only erupts when Grand starts erupting, but can continue to erupt for about an hour after Grand is finished. Not much left of Grand’s eruption (below), but Vent is continuing with both water and steam.
OK, time to head to Castle Geyser. Last time I watched Castle it erupted 20-30 feet. I thought that normal because I tend to show up but not necessarily read up when I come to Yellowstone. Shame on me. Castle can erupt up to 90 feet. Today we are hopeful for a major eruption.
Wow! As we head down the boardwalk Beehive Geyser erupts!
Beehive is also a cone-type geyser, one of the tallest geysers in Yellowstone, but erupts irregularly. It can erupt every 8 hours, once a day, or in 36+ hour intervals. It has also gone dormant for no apparent reason. Erratic is the word used, so to see it erupt is a treat. The good news is Beehive has erupted at least once a day over the last few years. Good chance of seeing this magnificent geyser during an area visit.
From this distance we see the glorious plume. You know all that mist is getting some people walking Geyser Hill very wet. By the time that water reaches the ground it is warm, not boiling. If we were closer we would experience its overwhelming power, roaring (literally) steam, and water shooting over 200 feet in the air. From here we have a glorious view.
Well, here we are at Castle Geyser, a cone-type geyser with the largest cone in Yellowstone. We are hoping for a major eruption–20-minute 60-90 foot water phase followed by a loud stream phase 30-40 minutes long. Castle erupts every 10-12 hours pretty reliably and that spouting water is hopefully the beginning.
Oh my goodness, look over there!!!!!
That is Lion Geyser–any guesses about the name? Yup, sudden gushes of steam make a roaring sound, but we cannot hear it from here. Lion’s eruptions are irregular, ranging from six hours to several days. Frankly, this is my first time seeing Lion erupt. Last time was just a bit of steam through trees. What a surprise. We are heading toward another five-geyser day with much better views of the geysers than the last time two years ago.
Lion is one of four geysers in the Lion Geyser Complex, all interconnected, but Lion has the largest cone and the one most likely to erupt, though in intervals from six hours to several days. It can reach 90 feet and last for 7 minutes. The complex’s other geysers include Lioness, Big Cub, and Little Cub, all spouting steam on and off, but none have erupted recently. With the erratic nature of the complex, this is really special.
Here we go! Castle Geyser.
Castle expels thousands of gallons of water over its rim heading ultimately to the Firehole River down the hill behind the cone. This 12-foot cone is not only the largest in Yellowstone but the oldest. Age estimates range from 5,000 to 15,000 years. The eruption may not get to 90 feet, but we are already higher than the eruption I last saw.
Although a cone geyser, the cone opening is quite wide making the volume of water shooting skyward immense. Look at that runoff.
The steam phase begins gradually, but with a roaring type noise. Seems like we might be at that point.
Well, let’s head to lunch. One and half hours and we saw five geysers that range in eruption predictions from 90+ minutes to several days to totally irregular. My friend’s mojo really did work today! As we head down the trail one more look at Castle and you can see where all that water is headed–downhill to the Firehole that carries water from many thermal features in many thermal basins. No wonder the river never freezes in the winter!
Oh NO! Run! Breeze came up and is pushing the steam our way. We are getting good and wet as we run to escape. Wouldn’t mind so much, but it is only 42° right now. At least the water is warm and so is the sun!
I just had a thought. On my last five-geyser day, the same five geysers erupted during a three-hour stay in the area. Our walk today was only 90 minutes, but perhaps one or more of these geysers impact each other. What do you think? Then again, maybe we were just blessed today with special, spectacular beauty 😉
Until next time . . .
