Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sound of its eruptions, has fewer vents and lower jets of water— up to 80 feet (24 m). Everyone
fortunate enough to witness a major eruption of these geysers is invariably thrilled. So far this
century, Fan and Mortar have erupted every few days during most summers, but with several
months-long dormant periods. Geyser gazers wait for hours and are able to chronicle in great
detail the “preplay,” or varying minor activity, from the many vents. Certain combinations of
vent activity are known to trigger eruptions most of the time.
Mortar
(on left)
and Fan Geysers put on an exciting show
(2001).
Spiteful Geyser
is closer to the walkway than Fan and Mortar. Dormant in the early 1990s,
it more recently emitted a constant spray toward the boardwalk. Witness its angry-seeming
spitting and you'll understand the name. Opposite Spiteful is an unnamed feature that is un-
officially called the
Norris Pools.
From 1998 to 2001, these pools underwent a major change
and the southern one became a geyser that erupted when Fan and Mortar did.
A restroom is off the trail to the right.
Morning Glory Pool,
on a short spur to the left, was famous for its brilliant blue color and
tube shape, which made it resemble the common morning glory blossom. But late in the sea-
son when its temperature drops, it may be green in the center with yellow, orange, and brown
microorganisims around its edges. Morning Glory's great fame may account for the tremend-
ous vandalism it has suffered. In one cleaning-out in 1950, rangers found 112 different kinds
of foreign objects, including logs, nearly $100 in coins, and “delicate items of underclothing.”
Vandalism was one reason why the Grand Loop Road was relocated a considerable distance
away from this pool in the 1970s.
