Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
When the lake's water level is high, the next features are entirely or almost submerged.
Lakeshore Geyser
has a sizeable cone, indicating considerable activity and a lower water level
in the past—geoscientists tell us sinter cones like these usually aren't built under water.
A pool to the left of the boardwalk shows what happens when thoughtless visitors throw
things into hot springs, filling the vents and causing the water to cool. Ugly brown microor-
ganism mats cover the bottom or float to the top.
Fishing Cone
is the most famous feature at West Thumb. It was where “unfortunate trout
find catching and cooking painfully near together,” as historian Chittenden wrote in 1895. In
other words, early day tourists could catch a fish here and cook it without removing it from
the hook. Regulations now prohibit fishing at or near West Thumb, since at least five people
have perished over the years after falling into these hot springs.
Fishing Cone in the late 1800s, by W. H. Jackson.
Two more cones
(Big Cone
and
Little Cone)
complete features at the lakeshore before the
path leaves the lake. Inactive Little Cone is above the boardwalk, well away from the water.
You'll next encounter Black Pool at the left and Abyss Pool a bit farther on at the right.
Perhaps 50 yards (or meters) from the boardwalk next to Black Pool is
King Geyser,
whose
eruptions are extremely rare but discharge an impressive amount of water when they occur.
