From the trailhead of Fairy Trail, I checked my backpack, tightened my boots and took out my water bottle in preparation for my hike. I could see the steam coming off of the multiple springs to my right and would soon be able to climb above the Middle Geyser Basin for a spectacular view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Distracted by my surroundings, I hadn’t notice the furry Bison standing within a few feet from me. While he appeared to be docile and more interested in grazing, I quickly passed, giving him plenty of space.
Within about twenty minutes, I reached a path leading upwards through the woods but I wasn’t quite sure if I was heading in the right direction. The woods were thick with fir trees that had fallen and blocked the trail but I decided to push forward. The climb was intense, but soon I noticed a small clearing and what seemed to be a natural bench of rock. I took a seat and looking out towards the spring, I was not prepared for the beauty of one of the most surreal sights I had ever seen.
One of the most surprising features of the Grand Prismatic Spring was the colorful rainbow of rings bordering the circular pool. Not visible from ground level, the vibrant primary colors and the orange-flamed runoff radiated like the sun.
I sat in amazement of the largest hot spring in the United States and realized I was looking down on a dormant volcano. I watched the steam slowly leave the geyser, disappearing into the air. Understanding that the mist is due to the boiling water reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, I also thought about how this silent volcano could explode at any moment. What an eerie thought.
Leaving this peaceful place on the hill, I returned back to the trailhead, curious to find the bison I saw at the start of my hike. I was surprised to notice that he was standing in the midst of Middle Geyser Basin. Concerned for his safety, I said a little prayer and hoped that he would escape from any harm and make it home safely.
Did you know that the Fairy Trail leads to a beautiful view of the Grand Prismatic Spring? Have you hiked the trail? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about my visit to Yellowstone! Wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381
- Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
- Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
- Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
- Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
- Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
- Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.
Where to Stay:
I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.
Where to Eat:
Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311
For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.
