Old Faithful Area

The above map shows the main geothermal features of the Upper Geyser Basin. It is 1.4 miles from the Visitor's Center to Morning Glory Pool. The paths are paved or are boardwalks, though the climb up to Observation Point is on dirt (I don't mean to make it sound like a daunting trail, it is only 150 feet up to Observation Point, a 2 mile loop from the Visitor's Center.) There are more features in this basin than I show on the map, I only pinpointed the sites that I refer to in the text and photographs.

It is a family tradition to pose in front of signs, especially at the entrance to each National Park we visited on one of our long summer vacations. I read somewhere that it was a good idea to take a picture of signs along with the amazing landscape. It was good advice, I could not have identified all the pools and geysers when I got home - but since I had many signs photos included, it was much easier to remember what each photo was showing. Especially now that digital photography has made each shot free, it is better advice than ever - get some sign photos.

These are my two best pictures of Old Faithful. Blue skies, nice day. Impressive eruption. This is terrific stuff!

You can walk all the way around Old Faithful on boardwalks. Here is a couple of photos for a later eruption, from the "farside" of the geyser.

There is a small hike up to Observation Point. From this elevation, you can look down on the Upper Geyser Basin. We climbed up there to watch another eruption. These photos show an eruption viewed from that height. (It isn't that hard to hike there, so if you have time, this a way to get another view of Old Faithful.