Lone Star Geyser

Weather:  72º, sun and clouds 

About this Hike: On the way to Fairy Falls I noticed the Lone Star Trailhead. I was intrigued. Further research showed an easy hike of a few miles would lead to an active geyser. I was sold. 

The hike follows a road, much of which is paved. Despite not feeling completely like a nature trail through the woods, the road does follow the Firehole River which is absolutely beautiful.

A quick side trail jaunt revealed a basin with two small geysers. One was steaming while another one filled with crystal-clear gray water frequently spurted up small eruptions. 

I continued on, looking forward to seeing the Lone Star Geyser. Soon the chalky white geyser basin came into view. In the middle was Lone Star. The geyser is a tall cone with mineral deposits coating the sides. It looks like a giant candle, especially as little wisps of steam would frequently go up out of it. 

While nothing like Old Faithful, there is an impromptu waiting area complete with signage to stay out of the geyser basin. A logbook allows visitors to track Lone Star's frequent eruptions. 

I hung around the basin area for a while anxiously hoping to witness an eruption. The geyser would boil loudly and steam would escape. Eventually a few splashes jumped up. It was a big tease, until about 30 minutes in to my wait.

At that point Lone Star began erupting, spewing hot water into the air and all down its sides. After watching these eruptions for about 30 minutes, I decided it was time to hike back. Part of me wanted to stay around longer--FOMO I guess, but for how long can one watch spewing hot water? 

Lone Star was an unplanned stop, but one that I am very glad to have enjoyed.

Monument Geyser

Weather:  86º, sun 

About this Hike:  Monument Geyser Trailhead caught my eye while driving into the park yesterday. After my first day in Yellowstone I did some research. Monument would be my inaugural Day 2 hike. 

The hike initially parallels the Gibbon River then goes through thick lodgepole pine forest. While elevation gain is less than 1,000 feet, it comes at you fast. The climb up to the geyser basin is steep and was challenging in the high-altitude summer heat.

The reward at the end of this trail consists of a chalky geyser basin and some steaming thermal features. There's a small drainage channel from a hot spring, and the water was still sizzling. I carefully used the rocks placed over it to step accross.

Based on the dry drainage channels, I would say Monument Geyser does erupt, but I am unsure of when and how often. It was quiet when I visited.