Third Day In Yellowstone National Park

21 September 2014

Weather: Sunny and 23C

This morning Justin and I got up and got ready, had breakfast and headed out to watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt, then we joined Ranger Joanne for the Geyser Hill Guided Walk.  Joanne took us to many of the geysers near Old Faithful Inn, explaining the unique features of each geyser, pool and spring, as well as how often many of the geysers erupt.  

View from the Geyser Hill Guided Walk

Beach Spring, Yellowstone National Park

After the tour we walked to Solitary Geyser and around to Castle Geyser seeing Grand Geyser erupting as we walked.  

Solitary Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

After Grand Geyser erupted we saw Beehive erupt in the distance.  We were lucky to see Castle Geyser erupt before grabbing lunch and heading off to Black Sand Basin.  

Beehive Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

After looking around at the geysers at Black Sand Basin we continued north to Biscuit Basin to see more geysers.  

Cliff Geyser at Black Sand Basin

When we were leaving Biscuit Basin we were told that a bear had been sighted further north on the Grand Prismatic Spring Trail.  

Justin and I at Sapphire Pool at Biscuit Basin

We drove to the area where the bear was sighted but the trail had been closed off and we could not see the bear.  Some Germany tourists showed us their photos of the bear as they were very close to it when hiking on the trail.  I asked Justin did he want to wait around to see if the bear heads this way but he decided that it would be unlikely that we will see it so we drove to Midway Geyser Basin and Lower Geyser Basin to see, as you guessed more pools and geysers.  At Midway Geyser Basin there was a film crew making an IMAX film about Yellowstone National Park and we were copying some of the angles which they were shooting from.  

Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser Basin

Grand Prismatic Spring Sign

Leather Pool, Lower Geyser Basin

Fountain Paint Pots, Lower Geyser Basin

On our return to Old Faithful Inn we had a glimpse of the bear sighted by hikers earlier that afternoon.  We could not make out if it was a Black or Brown Bear as there was no car parks on the side of the road and we had to drive slowly to miss the people and cars on the road.  

Bear at Yellowstone National Park

We continued to Kepler Cascades where the road was blocked due to road works and then drove back to Old Faithful Inn.  

Kepler Cascades, Yellowstone National Park

Once back at the Inn we had a drink and then headed out to see Old Faithful Geyser erupt again.  

Justin enjoying an Old Faithful Ale at Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful Geyser erupting

Afterwards we had a rest and then went to the Old Faithful Lodge’s cafeteria for tea.  I could see Old Faithful Geyser erupt again while eating a Bison Pasta Bake.  The rest of the evening we retired to our room and had an early night as I have come down with a cold most likely from those cold showers and Justin was very sun burnt on the back of his neck and face.