After breaking camp this morning, I headed straight for Yellowstone National Park.
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| Old Faithful |
Yellowstone was set aside as the world’s first
national park because of its hydrothermal wonders. The park contains more than 10,000 thermal features, including the world’s greatest concentration of geysers as well as hot springs, mudpots, and steam vents. Old Faithful Geyser was once called “Eternity’s Timepiece” because of the regularity of its eruptions. Despite the myth, this geyser has never erupted at exact hourly intervals, nor is it the largest or most regular geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
The park’s hydrothermal system is the visible expression of the immense Yellowstone volcano; they would not exist without the underlying partially molten magma body that releases tremendous heat. They also depend on sources of water, such as the mountains surrounding the Yellowstone Plateau. There, snow and rain slowly percolate through layers of permeable rock riddled with cracks. Some of this cold water meets hot brine directly heated by the shallow magma body. The water’s temperature rises well above the boiling point but the water remains in a liquid state due to the great pressure and weight of the overlying water. The result is superheated water with temperatures exceeding 400°F.
I could go on and on describing the parks many wonders, but I think the pictures I took can best portray this marvel.
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| There are boardwalks located throughout the park to keep you safe, and protect the parks thermal features. |
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Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal feature in the park |
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| Terraces form when water rises through limestone, which then allows the water to carry high amounts of dissolved calcium carbonate. At the surface, carbon dioxide is released and the calcium carbonate is deposited, forming travertine, the chalky white rock of the terraces. |
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Note the micro organism fields surrounding the hot springs |
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| Mud pots vary in consistency from very soapy to almost hard-baked mud. There is usually a lingering smell of rotten eggs from the hydrogen- sulphide. Mud pots make interesting sounds as various gases bubble through the thick clay mud. |
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Hot springs continue to develop throughout the park |
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There are many rivers and creeks running throughout the park. The water can be deceptively cold and swift. Many people have lost their lives in these rivers. |
In addition to the beautiful landscape, the park is also the home of a broad range of wild life.While black bears are common, it is estimated that in 2015 there were over 700 grizzly bears living in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. There are also grey wolves, wolverine, lynx, elk, mule,
deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep and white-tailed deer all native to the park. In all there are over 65 different mammals living in the park. Bison are known to have injured more people in the park than any other animal. This in part because of the huge population numbering in excess of 5,500. It should also be pointed out that they can run up to 30 mph and are naturally unpredictable and dangerous. Bittersweet as it may be, I did not encounter any of the above within the park. **Note: I did not know how dangerous the bison were when I took selfies with the bison in Texas.**
As the day came to an end, I traveled on to Cody, Wyoming where I found a room at the Wigwam Inn. I had hoped to find a campground tonight but by this time I was competing with bikers from all areas who were heading to Sturgis, S.D. for bike week. Oh yes, I will be going to Sturgis! See you there....
