Yellowstone’s Grand Loop - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 331

8. Midway Geyser Basin
A wooden footbridge over the Firehole River overlooks sleeping Excelsior Crater, which
last erupted in 1985 and now shoots its scalding broth into the river instead by way of
a series of flumes. Continue along the boardwalk for a leisurely look at Grand Prismatic
Spring,Yellowstone'slargestandmostcolorfulhotspring—abrilliantbluemedallionmore
than300feetindiameterandringedbythrobbing,brilliantbandsofyellow,green,red,and
orange algae.
9. Old Faithful
Withraptattentioncrowdsawaitthenextscheduledperformanceofthisworld-famousgey-
ser, whose timing is almost as predictable as its subterranean clockwork is complex. First
comestheoverture:splashing,gurgling,andthroat-clearingasspurtsofwhitearelaunched
into the blue sky. Then, suddenly, a roaring column of spray erupts full force, causing jaws
to drop and necks to jerk back in awe and amazement. Old Faithful has again lived up to
its name.
Were it somehow to fail, visitors would still find spectacle enough within walking dis-
tance of the famed geyser. Morning Glory Pool, Castle Geyser, Chromatic Pool, Chinese
Spring, Grotto Geyser, Punch Bowl Spring, and other spots create an intriguing variety
of pools and waterspouts great and small, each gurgling and blowing to its own peculiar
rhythm. Of the 500 or so active geysers in the world, more than 200 are found in Yellow-
stone, and close to 125 of these thermal wonders are right here in Upper Geyser Basin.
10. Yellowstone Lake
Travelers experience an abrupt change of scene and scent as the Grand Loop swings east
and climbs to the Continental Divide, passing through dense evergreen forests mercifully
untouchedbythefiresof1988.At8,000feettheroadbridgestinyIsaLake,whichstraddles
thedivideanddrainsbotheastandwest.Justpastthelakeisamatchlessviewsouthtoward
the towering Tetons. Approaching the area known as West Thumb, the forest finally parts
like a curtain to reveal the diamond-bright surface of Yellowstone Lake, the highest moun-
tain lake in North America—and one of the largest at 14 by 20 miles. Pelicans glide over-
head, and flocks of honking geese alight along the treelined shore. The drive hugs the wa-
ter's edge on its northward journey, and near Bridge Bay a mile-long spur leads west to the
lovely Natural Bridge, a 30-foot span of pale stone arching high above the ground.