Lone Star Geyser

A new trail for us in the Old Faithful Area, to Lone star Geyser. The trail is along an old, scenic road beside a forested section of the Firehole River. Almost its entire time is amongst an older growth of trees, following right along the river's edge. The scenery is beautiful around every bend and there are occasional meadows as well as hydrothermal features.

The trailhead is just next to the Kepler Falls on the Loop Road just 3 miles east of Old Faithful. We stopped here first and it turns out that the river that we followed all the way to Lone Star Geyser is this one roaring over the rapids. It was very dramatic, and loud, this time of year with all the spring run-off.

Along the trail to the geyser we kept asking people who were returning if they saw an eruption. The Lone Star Geyser erupts every 3 hours, or so. The last per we met, just before we arrived, said that it would be erupting soon so we better hurry up. When we arrived, there were several people gathered just watching it's impressive cone.

There were many short, false alarms, but we had to wait 30 minutes for the true eruption.

So, while we waited, we ate our lunch which usually takes about 20 minutes. Something to do to pass the time.

The previous eruption had been around noon, and, just at 2:54 p.m., the true eruption began.

Close up of the several spouts at the top of the cone.

This geyser shoots from a cone and creates a fantastic and dramatic display.

After about 12 minutes, the geyser began it's "steam" phase which we read lasts about 1 hour. We felt really fortunate to have witnessed this impressive display.

We took this picture of an elk from the car window on our drive home. Other than some bison, it was the only large animal we saw all day.

Today's hike:

Length - 5.18 miles

Duration - 2 hours, 41 minutes (including lunch and wait for the geyser)

Elevation gain - 129 feet