Black Sand Thermal Area, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, USA

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Photo ofBlack Sand Thermal Area, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, USA

Author

mclivancouver

with 1 trail buddy

5,550 189 2155

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Trail stats

Distance: 0.48 mi
Elevation gain: 3 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3 ft
Max elevation: 7,275 ft
TrailRank: 57
Min elevation: 7,220 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 22 minutes
Time: 34 minutes
Coordinates: 134
Uploaded: June 15, 2019
Recorded: June 2019

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near Three River Junction, Wyoming (United States)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

A short easy walk in a very interesting and diverse thermal location. "Black obsidian (volcanic glass) sand gives this geyser basin its name. Oranges, greens, and other colors in and around the hot springs come from thermophiles (heat-loving micro-organisms)." The Cliff geyser makes frequent impressive eruptions. The vapors from these springs are not smelly and seem to have a attractive medicinal effect.

All the thermal locations in Eastern Yellowstone Park have unique features, so we didn't get tired of visiting them one by one in different weather and at different times of day. Sometimes the intensity of eruptions can vary significantly from one visit to the next.

This track was recorded in early June 2019, using the free off-line Wikiloc Wyoming State map download.

Waypoints

Parking

Adequate paved car and bus parking and toilet facilities.

The Cliff Geyser

During our visit the Cliff Geyser erupted several times and once it reached a significant height.

Green Spring

The Green Spring has lots of thermophile coloration. From this location we also observed a significant Cliff Geyser eruptions.

Steam pools

A small bridge near a trail junction. The steam clouds from nearby springs are dense and not smelly. When they gently waft over the boardwalk some visitors treat it like a spa location.