The Lower Geyser Basin contains several collections of geothermal features, such as the Fountain Paint Pots and Firehole Lake Drive (not to be confused with Firehole Canyon Drive which we saw earlier). It's the largest geyser basin (by area) in the entire park. It is also the place where the Nez Perce Indians kidnapped a group of white tourists.
On the evening of August 23, 1877, George Cowan, his wife, and seven other men and women were singing songs and telling jokes around their campfire. Unbeknownst to them, they had picked an unfortunate campsite on the banks of the East Fork (now the Nez Perce Creek, not far from where we were). They were just a short ways from a tribe of Nez Perce Indians who were hiding from the U.S. Army. The Indians had been on the run for four months, and they couldn't risk the possibility of their position being discovered and reported. They decided to kidnap the white travelers. Several skirmishes ensued. George was shot in the thigh and head and left for dead. The rest of his companions were captured; some were wounded. They were released near the Mud Volcano on the other side of the park. George miraculously survived his wounds and was reunited with them in Mammoth.
The Nez Perce fled northeast, hoping to make it to Canada and out of the reach of the army. Tired, starving, freezing, and desperate, Chief Joseph was forced to surrender on October 5, 1877. They had traveled 1,170 miles from where they started in Oregon. They made it to the Bears Paw Mountains, just forty miles from the border, and their freedom.
The Cowan party was likely camped here because of all the wonderful geothermal features nearby.
***
Time for more mud! We're at the Fountain Paint Pots.
Like most paint pots, these change with the season. In dry weather, the mud hole dries up, and cone-like "vents" start to form. In wet weather, like when we were visiting, the mud liquefies, the mounds smooth out, and bubbles are seen on the surface.
See the bubbles?
The Fountain Paint Pots doesn't just contain mud holes. It's home to plenty of hot springs and geysers, too. This is Silex Spring. The color (and accompanying steam) tells us that it is nearly boiling, about 200 degrees.
Not all hot springs are beautifully colored. The Leather Pool was dark and ugly. The water is lukewarm at best. But I'm sure the animals love it.
This geyser emerged following a deadly earthquake on August 17, 1959. They named it Red Spouter. It varies between a fumarole and a geyser depending on the amount of rain/snow the area receives.
Fountain Geyser
According to the guidebooks, this geyser erupts every one to twelve hours, with a duration of 30 to 60 minutes per eruption. It was erupting the entire time we were there.
Not far from the Fountain Geyser was Clepsydra Geyser. It erupts nearly continuously. Scientists assume an underground connection between them because it only stops briefly when Fountain Geyser is finished.
On the evening of August 23, 1877, George Cowan, his wife, and seven other men and women were singing songs and telling jokes around their campfire. Unbeknownst to them, they had picked an unfortunate campsite on the banks of the East Fork (now the Nez Perce Creek, not far from where we were). They were just a short ways from a tribe of Nez Perce Indians who were hiding from the U.S. Army. The Indians had been on the run for four months, and they couldn't risk the possibility of their position being discovered and reported. They decided to kidnap the white travelers. Several skirmishes ensued. George was shot in the thigh and head and left for dead. The rest of his companions were captured; some were wounded. They were released near the Mud Volcano on the other side of the park. George miraculously survived his wounds and was reunited with them in Mammoth.
The Nez Perce fled northeast, hoping to make it to Canada and out of the reach of the army. Tired, starving, freezing, and desperate, Chief Joseph was forced to surrender on October 5, 1877. They had traveled 1,170 miles from where they started in Oregon. They made it to the Bears Paw Mountains, just forty miles from the border, and their freedom.
The Cowan party was likely camped here because of all the wonderful geothermal features nearby.
***
Time for more mud! We're at the Fountain Paint Pots.
Like most paint pots, these change with the season. In dry weather, the mud hole dries up, and cone-like "vents" start to form. In wet weather, like when we were visiting, the mud liquefies, the mounds smooth out, and bubbles are seen on the surface.
See the bubbles?
The Fountain Paint Pots doesn't just contain mud holes. It's home to plenty of hot springs and geysers, too. This is Silex Spring. The color (and accompanying steam) tells us that it is nearly boiling, about 200 degrees.
Not all hot springs are beautifully colored. The Leather Pool was dark and ugly. The water is lukewarm at best. But I'm sure the animals love it.
This geyser emerged following a deadly earthquake on August 17, 1959. They named it Red Spouter. It varies between a fumarole and a geyser depending on the amount of rain/snow the area receives.
Fountain GeyserAccording to the guidebooks, this geyser erupts every one to twelve hours, with a duration of 30 to 60 minutes per eruption. It was erupting the entire time we were there.
Not far from the Fountain Geyser was Clepsydra Geyser. It erupts nearly continuously. Scientists assume an underground connection between them because it only stops briefly when Fountain Geyser is finished.
