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Grand Prismatic

Journey map

Approximately:

• from Norris Campground (A) to Artists' Painpots (B): 5 miles and 0h10 on road
• from Artists' Painpots (B) to Terrace Spring (C): 9 miles and 0h15 on road
• from Terrace Spring (C) to Madison Campground (D): 1 miles and 0h05 on road
• from Madison Campground (D) to Fountain Paint Pot (F): 9 miles and 0h20 on road
• from Fountain Paint Pot (F) to Fairy Falls trailhead (G): 4 miles and 0h10 on road
• from Fairy Falls trailhead (G) to Firehole Lake Drive (H): 4 miles and 0h10 on road

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J52 - Sunday, July 1

Wake up at 6:55, only 46 °F on thermometer. Departure at 8:12 directly to Madison Campground n order to reserve a spot for the night; arriving at 8:45 and we find the sign Camp Full but we go anyway. At the reception, the "attendant", a charming woman, confirms that there is no more space but, perhaps, possibly... there could be some cancellations in the day. Seeing my face a little bit puzzled, sad, tearful limit, the perfect stranger having trouble with the local language... she searches a little bit and finds (Yuppie ) a free space as we sleep in our car. Indeed, the location is small but who cares; I would have made her a kiss, but I'm not alone .

Reassured about our night, we leave at 8:55 towards Norris for different points along the road.
First stop for Chocolate Pot, source with "brown" colors along the Gibbon River. A little farther, 3 beautiful male elks let us photograph while continuing to graze.

Then stop at Artists' Painpots at 9:29 am and 66 °F; stroll among fumaroles, gray mud puddles smashing in bubbles and small well colored basins. Back to the car at 10:03 with 1 mile on pedometer.

The route now follows a beautiful gorge and after Beryl Spring, the next stop is at Gibbon Falls, a small waterfall but nothing spectacular. Then a stroll in the middle of Terrace Spring, nicely colored. Almost opposite, a few bison and calves graze nonchalantly near the river.

Shortly after Madison, we take on right the Firehole Canyon Rd, small one way road but busy. The Firehole River crosses a very narrow gorge pretty enough; practically no parking, so you can easily imagine what happens .
A little later, some waterfalls, the Firehole Falls, nd the second location I had planned a swim. Waste of time, there is also prohibited .
We reach again the main road and go directly to the campsite for lunch quietly on our site with 82 °F. When getting out of the car, Isabelle gives us a double somersault followed by a double backflip (well, that's what I thought I saw ). I rush to lift her and, luckily, her right ankle hurt her but a priori more frightened than hurt, I fear for the coming hikes.

After lunch, we leave again and at 2pm, start off visiting Fountain Paint Pot. Located right on the road, it's only fountains, pools, fumaroles and other geysers. Back to the car to 2:28 p.m. after traveling 0.5 mile

Our next step is the Grand Prismatic Spring, pool of over 100 yards in diameter and immortalized by, among others, Yann Arthus-Bertrand. But I discovered that it was possible to see that great basin in an other manner than the organized tour, on water level. So here we are at the start of the hike to Fairy Falls to climb a small hill and see from above the famous Grand Prismatic Spring. The path is very broad, it could be drove with a car; we arrive quite quickly in front of the pool and a small path leads to the beginning of the climb (no indication)
Here, each is doing as it can because it slips a bit and we must pass over many fallen tree trunks. Despite her twisted ankle, Isabelle gets to climb a little higher and I continue. The show is wonderful and we don't regret at all this little detour. As we were far enough away, I only had the telephoto lens (70-300) but ultimately, given the size of the Grand Prismatic, the wide angle would have been welcome.
Back to the car at 3:42 pm approximately after 1 hour ride and 82 °F. We leave to go to see this marvel closer.
We begin the hike at 4pm with Turquoise Pool followed by Opal Pool and finally the Grand Prismatic Spring. Yellow to brown through orange, thermophilic bacteria enchant us, against clear blue. The last element of this place is Excelsior Geyser Crater and at times it is almost like the Mer Rouge. All these basins run down into the Firehole River, with lots of beautiful colors; very nice foot bath near the bridge in the warm water and we inspire others .

We leave again at 4:55 pm and continue on the Firehole Drive with some fine stops like Firehole Spring and arrive at Great Fountain Geyser just when a ranger says that the next eruption is now; but the eruption leaves us unsatisfied. Young Hopeful Geyser, a little further, crackles constantly but not very strong.
Back to camp at 6:20 pm, buying ice, drink, fire, dinner with moon as friend; sleep at 9:30 pm.