The Fountain Paints Pots Trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, is a short .06 boardwalk trail to see several hydrothermal features. It’s a great introduction to all the sights of the Lower Loop, where you’ll find several other highlights of the park.
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Park at the Fountain Paint Pot Trail Parking Lot and take the well-marked boardwalk trail. As you step onto the boardwalk you’ll start to notice all the unique features of this geothermal wonderland.
Tip: Never touch any of these thermal features or go off the boardwalk, some are hot enough to easily give you 3rd degree burns
Silex Spring
This is one of the most beautiful sights on the trial, with the clear blue water contrasting against the orange microorganisms surrounding it.
Fountain Paint Pots
This gurgling mud is created from heat, gases, water, minerals, acid, volcanic rock, and microorganisms.
Red Spouter
The Red Spouter splashes muddy water that sometimes has a red tone. While we were there in the summer when the water table is lower, Red Spouter became a hissing fumarole. As you can see below this cracked mud has a slight pink tone.
Spasm Geyser
This geyser erupts frequently, with the water going as high as 20 feet. It was fun to watch it bursting out from the earth’s surface.
These are just some of the many sights to see along this short boardwalk. The colors and varying geological features are stunning. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
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