G.A.S.P.

The next day (7-22) we rode back into the Park (where I entered Wyoming for the fourth time on this journey) along the Madison River, then on to Norris following the Gibbon River. Norris has yet another geyser basin; this one mostly in a broad, flat area that looks like the whole thing could blow at any time. Speaking of blowing, this would be a good time to mention what causes all of this thermal activity in Yellowstone. About 2 million years ago, then again 1.2 million years ago, then yet again 600,000 years ago, huge volcanic eruptions rocked Yellowstone. The last one caused the central portion of present day Yellowstone to collapse into a huge caldera approximately 28 miles wide by 47 miles long. The magma that caused the gigantic volcanic eruptions is still there under Yellowstone and powers the geysers, hot pools and mud pots.

From Norris, we rode to Canyon Village, home of the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is truly a world class canyon – wide, deep, colorful and filled along the bottom by America’s last great wild river, the magnificent Yellowstone. We stopped at Inspiration Point, other viewpoints along the North rim, and the trail that leads to the brink of the Lower Falls. The power of the falls, thundering 308’ (1½ times Niagara) into the canyon makes you wonder why there is any water left at the bottom. You’d (well, I’d) just think all those H2’s would get separated from the O’s on the rocks at the bottom of the falls.