Mud Volcano
by Robert Bales
Title
Mud Volcano
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
One of the most interesting places in Yellowstone National Park.
When explorers first discovered Mud Volcano in the 19th century, the rumbling eruptions could be heard half a mile away. Mud Volcano shook the ground and flung mud into the treetops. The volcano later blew itself apart and is not as active for todays visitors to Yellowstone National Park. Fortunately, there are still several interesting hydrothermal features to witness in the Mud Volcano Area. You can hike a short (less than a quarter mile long) boardwalk to see Dragons Mouth Spring and what remains of Mud Volcano. With more time, you may hike a longer 2/3 of a mile loop past hydrothermal features with fun names like Grizzly Fumarole, Sour Lake, Black Dragons Caldron, Churning Caldron, Sizzling Basin, and Cooking Hillside. There is only a bit more elevation gain on the longer boardwalk hike. Across the road, there is an overlook for Sulphur Caldron, one of the most acidic springs in all of Yellowstone. No matter how much time you decide to spend in the Mud Volcano Area, your visit is sure to be action packed.
As you step out of your vehicle at the trailhead along the Yellowstone River, you wont be greeted by pine fresh mountain air. Instead youll be smacked in the face by a rotten egg smell caused by the hydrogen sulfide gas that escapes from the ground in this area, atop a resurgent dome in the magma chamber of the Yellowstone Caldera. It is worth tolerating the smell to see all that the Mud Volcano Area has to offer. The longer loop begins at the left (south) side of the pullout and starts by passing between Mud Geyser and Mud Caldron. If you are hiking the longer loop, it is recommended that you start here and do the loop in a clockwise direction, ending by Mud Volcano and Dragons Mouth Spring. For those with less time, there is a shorter boardwalk loop past those two notable landmarks.
Uploaded
January 26th, 2016
Statistics
Viewed 1,571 Times - Last Visitor from Cupertino, CA on 03/28/2024 at 3:10 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (32)
Marvin Blaine
Really Cool Capture Robert! Love the Volcano's action. The landscape is breathtaking! F!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much for the nice comments and the F!! It sure was a fascinating place!
Jennifer White
Beautiful Yellowstone scenery. I've been there. No words to describe the unique beauty of Yellowstone.