Midway Geyser Basin

Our next destination was the Midway Geyser Basin comprising of Excelsior geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Opal pool & Turquoise pool.We discovered the hydro-thermal wonders along a fully accessible half mile board walk trail. The Grand prismatic spring is the largest and one of Yellowstone's most brilliant & colorful hot springs.Its massive expanse stretches approx. 200 ft across. Due to the high temperature of the water - 160 deg.Fahrenheit- the spring is often cloaked in steam.Deep beneath, magma from an active volcano heats water that rises to the surface through fissures in the rock. The result is a hot spring that pours almost 500 gallons of hot water each minute into the Firehole River.The intense blue color in the center of this hot spring is due to sunlight being scattered by fine particles suspended in the water. The yellow, orange and brown colors encircling the hot spring are caused by Thermophiles or heat loving micro-organisms - these microbes contain colorful pigments that allow them to draw energy from the sunlight and thrive in the harsh conditions of the hot springs. Three videos have been uploaded. Please enjoy these panoramic views.

Entering the Midway Geyser Basin

The Firehole River

Hot Springs water pouring into the Firehole River

Bridge crossing across the river

Thick cloak of steam

Spectacular View of Grand Prismatic Spring

Colorful heat loving Micro-Organisms or Thermophiles

 Colorful heat loving Micro-Organisms or Thermophiles

The Opal Pool

The Turquoise Pool