West Thumb - Yellowstone National Park

Remnants from the West Thumb/Arnica Fire from 2009.

Continental Divide - Yellowstone National Park

One of 2 photo stops on our way from Old Faithful to the Mud Volcanoes.

Old Faithful - Yellowstone National Park

A trip to Yellowstone NP wouldn't be complete without a stop at Old Faithful. When we first arrived, it was crazy busy, and I missed the first eruption trying to find a parking spot. We stayed and did some shopping while waiting for the 2nd performance, and we were not dissapointed.

Tuff Cliff - Yellowstone National Park

Our picnic spot for the day, where we were again entertained by chipmunks and squirrels.

Firehole Falls - Yellowstone National Park

Artists' Paintpots - Yellowstone National Park

The Artists Paint Pots trailhead is reached by a little side road, ending at parking area. The boardwalk path crosses bushy flats to the start of the loop around the hot pools, at the base of the north side of Paintpot Hill. The first features of the area are a number of gently simmering milky-blue pools, edged by reddish sulfur deposits. The most unusual pool in the area - a big creamy-brown mud pot with several churning vents behaving slightly differently owing to the varying consistency of the mud. This part of the path is high enough to overlook the surrounding area well past the parking lot.

Norris Geyser Basin - Yellowstone National Park

Norris is the spot where, if this volcano totally comes to life again, you're at ground zero (so scientists expect). This place is filled with thermal features, but unlike others, they aren't predictable. Springs and geysers can dry up—or open—overnight. We started our first day touring Yellowstone at this awesome spot.