Artists’ Paintpots Trail, Yellowstone National Park

I’ve always enjoyed hiking, nowhere more than in a beautiful natural place with interesting features.  The Artists’ Paintpots trail certainly fits the bill.

01 Paint pot trail

The Paintpots trail is found in the western portion of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, about 4 miles south of the famous Norris Geyser Basin (home of the world’s tallest geyser).

The Paintpots Trail is a one-mile hike that circles a hydrothermal area tucked into a hillside.  The trail has a 125-foot elevation gain and includes a burned out lodgepole pine forest (from the park’s dramatic 1988 fire), several hot springs, colorful water pools and mud pots. Much of the trail is on a boardwalk and overall, it is an easy hike.

02 Paint pot trail

The trail passes steaming water originating from hot springs….

03 Paint pot trail

04 Paint pot trail

05 Paint pot trail

Mist covers streams of near-boiling water….

08 Paint pot trail

06 Paint pot trail

07 Paint pot trail

09 Paint pot trail

As you climb uphill you can look down the hydrothermal hillside and over the pine forest toward Mount Holmes.  It’s a lovely view!

10 Paint pot trail

11 Paint pot trail

12 Paint pot trail

13 Paint pot trail

During your ascent you’ll note that hydrothermal features have less water in them, with the appearance of mudpots.

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21 Paint pot trail

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16 Paint pot trail
Some of the bubbling pools of mud are very dramatic — reminiscent of a witch’s caldron.

18 Paint pot trail

19 Paint pot trail

22 Paint pot trail

The bubbling mud holes are called paintpots.  They’re derived from underground gases which break down rhyolite stone into grey clay.  You can see gas bubbles erupt on the surface, some spraying hot muck for a significant distance (so be careful).  The odor is reminiscent of rotten eggs and caused by hydrogen sulfide gas.

You can see the boiling mudpots in action in the following videos:

Overall a nice walk made fascinating by the geothermal features along the trail.

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