Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quake of 1959. Morning and Fountain Geysers are impressive but infrequent gushers; the
latter drains into Spasm Geyser.
Clepsydra Geyser has erupted almost constantly since the Hebgen Lake earthquake in
1959. The geyser was named Clepsydra (Greek for 'water clock') at the time when it used
to go off every three minutes on the button. Jelly Geyser does indeed look like an upside-
down bowl of Jell-O.
In 1981 Celestine Pool was the site of one of the park's most famous accidents, when a
young Californian man dived headfirst into the hot spring to save his dog who had contro-
versially decided to cool off in the enticing pool. Sadly both died as a result of their burns.
For a map of Fountain Paint Pot and Firehole Lake Dr pick up the park-service trail
guide (50¢). Rangers lead tours here three times a week at 9am.
FOUNTAIN FLAT DRIVE
This former freight road turns off the Grand Loop Rd at the pleasant Nez Percé Picnic
Area (with toilets) and continues south for 1.5 miles to a hiking and cycling trailhead.
From here the road is accessible to cyclists and hikers all the way to Fairy Falls Trailhead,
4 miles away. The trail is wheelchair accessible for 2.2 miles to the Goose Lake (OD5)
campsite, one of two wheelchair-accessible backcountry campsites in the park.
Just beyond a parking lot is the Ojo Caliente Hot Spring , which empties into the river
(Ojo Caliente means 'Hot Spring' in Spanish). Just south of the bridge is the trail to
Sentinel Meadows ( Click here ) and on either side of the bridge are trails to Pocket Basin.
Pocket Basin is one of the least-known and little-visited thermal basins in the valley.
The basin is actually a miniature caldera, originally created by a hydrothermal explosion
that must have been roughly on the scale of an atomic bomb. The northern trail leads past
the belching mud pot of Grotto Spring and inviting Baby Bathtub Spring to the River
Group, a collection of four or five geysers and hot springs that includes Cavern Spring,
Bath Spring, Azure Spring, Diadem Spring and Cone Spring. Over the ridge is one of the
park's largest collections of mud pots. Across the river is Mound Spring, which erupts
every half- hour or so. The basin isn't on the scale of the more famous thermal features
further south, but this is one place you can explore away from the boardwalks and parking
lots. Remember, however, to take the normal precautions when approaching any thermal
feature.
FIREHOLE CANYON DRIVE
The one-way Firehole Canyon Dr leaves the Grand Loop Rd just south of Madison Junc-
tion. The road passes 40ft-high Firehole Falls at the foot of towering dark rhyolite cliffs,
but the main attraction here is the lukewarm Firehole Swimming Area (no fee), one of
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