4sharie

Myer, you there? In researching Grand Prismatic Springs, it's you that most often mentions an unmarked trail on a hill a mile from the Fairy Falls parking lot for the "overlook" of GPS. Is the mile walk the only way to access the hill? Is it distinctly separate from the boardwalk around GPS?

I need a map of the trails, geysers, springs, etc! This is all so confusing!

tomfuller

What you need to know about GPS: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/fi...tic/index.html
If I can get the coordinates for your GPSr, I will post them.

tomfuller

The GPS is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone. The coordinates are N44* 31.544 W110* 50.295. Turn west off the main highway at the first turnoff north of those coordinates. There is a trail with a footbridge that leads to GPS and a big pond crater hole.

4sharie

Thanks for the effort in posting the site. Interesting biology, but not exactly helpful for finding this unmarked trail!

I've marked down the GPS coordinates for my GPS haha I just wonder if it's the same for the "hill" up as it is for the boardwalk around.

Myer

4sharie,

The unofficial GPS trail has nothing to do with GPS as most people see it.

We went to the official GPS viewing for a while.

Then we drove back a mile or so towards OF and parked in the lot for the Fairy Falls hike.

You actually do the first mile or so of the Fairy Falls hike until GPS is to your right. I don't even think you can really see GPS while you're walking but somehow we knew it was there.

There will be a hill on the left side of the wide trail you're on. You'll probably see tracks on the hill or some other people going up.

As you go up you begin to see GPS. It takes a little more than 5 minutes to climb. When we went there was a constant 10-12 people there. Some leave and others arrive.

If you look at the photos on my web site, you'll see a hill behind GPS on the photos taken at GPS. That's the hill you want from the Fairy Falls trail.

Myer

You can't get there from GPS as the viewing boardwalk is on the side closest to the GPS parking lot and not the side of the hill and Fairy Falls trail.

4sharie

Thank you!! (can't we just swim across GPS to get to the hill?? ) Sooo, is there anything else to see along the mile of Fairy Falls? We won't go the 5 miles to the falls.

I'll look for the hill in your pics this evening. got to run now.

tomfuller

The Earth Cache at Grand Prismatic Springs is rated as a terrain 1 (wheelchair accessable). http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...3-5afed77b0018
If you follow the road to the end you will find a trail at the south end of the parking which will take you to the footbridge across the Firehole River. Hot water from GPS flows into the river. I don't know how warm/hot it might be.
Check the picture of the boardwalk in the geocache page.
Don't drop anything into the mat.

Myer

4sharie,

I guess you could swim across GPS but it might be warm.

It's really aneasy hike as that part is more of a dirt road. There will probably be others on the hike who will be going to Fairy Falls and don't even know about the GPS view.

As you can see by the views, it's definitely worth the time.

tomfuller

The map you are looking for. http://www.geocaching.com/map/defaul...lng=-110.83825
There is a bridge of some type south of GPS on the Fountain Flat Road that goes to the Goose Lakes. This would be on the mountain you see in the background in the pictures taken at GPS.
Please don't get burned. Don't take a dog there.

4sharie

Tom, awesome info on the geocache page! The zoom-able map is almost what I'm looking for. I just want a printable version with roads, trails, and sites named. The visitor center will probably have them, but I like to preplan! Maybe my library would have some books... hmmm

Myer, that's quite a "hill" behind GPS. I'm so afraid we're going to burn so much time looking for the right hill to go up and still somehow get lost!!

Myer

You won't get lost. Let's say the worst happens.

First, you miss the turn up the hill and never find it. If that happens eventually you'll realize it and turn back. You will have walked a bit for nothing.

Second, you find the turn up the hill and decide on the way that the hill is too steep (which it's not). You stop going up (the whole climb is about 5 minutes) and return and will have walked a bit for nothing.

The upside is that you will see a spectacular view which the whole trip is all about. The downside is that you walked out and back (less than an hour) for nothing.

I think the risk is worth it.

I don't know what your schedule or physical condition are like. It's for you to decide if it's worth it.

Myer

4sharie,

I did a search and found a bunch of links. Here's one.

http://forums.yellowstone.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13457

4sharie

Excellent forum link, Myer. I never thought to look for forums dedicated to Yellowstone! Thoroughly enjoyed reading all the replies there and gleaning info.

Time-wise, we'll be spending that day driving/sightseeing from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, so I'm assuming we'd have the hour to take this walk.

(wish I could put you in my back pocket in case I needed on-the-spot help! haha Looks like you know your way around the Tetons too.)

Myer

I only know things from research and reading forums.

After a while you get to identify with certain posters.

A lot of us have been to the same places and even though we may have different styles and physical issues, we know how to interpret the responses.

Then of course you go and know what you should have done differently.

For instance, the only hike I've ever been on that was unpleasant due to the number of people was that hike on the other side of Jenny Lake in GTNP.

We went on a Sunday. If we had gone the next day, and we could have, I'll bet there were a lot less people there on a Monday.

And if you're concerned about climbing that hill. I did that a little more than a year after having a hip replacement.

The good thing about hikes that are up first then back down is that you can stop anytime you want.

One of the hikes we did was down first and then 900 feet back up on a trail that wasn't smooth and shared with horses. It was near Tower. We had no choice we had to climb back out. When we finished we were hanging over the car catching our breath.

4sharie

Speaking of crowded Sunday hikes, we're a bit worried about that. We'll be in Yellowstone on a Saturday and Sunday. Monday we'll leave Old Faithful Lodge and go to the Tetons, so hopefully not too crowded there. But a weekend in Yellowstone... little worried.

Not worried about the walk/scramble up the hill. We all should do fine with that. I just hope we go up the right hill. Looks like there are a couple, one higher with better views.

Myer

I'm sure you'll get the right hill. Only one or two choices.

The only hikes I've been on with quite a few people were that Jenny Lake hike and Mt Washburn in Yellowstone. Mt Wasburn was fine as it spreads out quickly.

I read something very true. Once you're 50 yards from the parking lot you lose 80% of the people. That's almost but not quite true in the geyser basin but it's big enough with many choices.

If you're at all into photography look up two places along the outside road in GTNP; Schwabacher Landing and Mormon Row.

Most people stop at the viewpoints and then back in the car. SL is a half mile down a dirt road. Right on the Snake River with the mountains reflecting.

Mormon row is also a half mile off the main road (different spot though very close). Two old barns with the mountains in the background.

4sharie

Yes, yes, yes! Definitely trying to get in some photography and definitely have plans for both SL and Mormon Row. I can't convince DH to get to Mormon Row for sunrise, so Oxbow Bend might have to do since it's near Signal Mtn where we're staying (though he's really hoping to just go out on our balcony with a cup of coffee!).

Just started looking into the ferry across Jenny Lake and a bit of a walk.

Myer

Oxbow Bend is very nice for both early AM and late afternoon/evening. Right where the inside and outside roads meet at the top.

For SL and Mormon Row you really don't have to get there before sunrise. Just early before the sun is high. Definitely not in the afternoon as the sun will be in your face.

Of course, to get that soft glow you'll have to be there early.

Be careful about driving in the dark in any park area. You don't want to hit anything.

Your husband reminds me of my friend. Before our Yellowstone trip his wife told me he needs his breafast and coffee. I said no problem. I'll go out early and swing back for him.

The first morning when I picked him up for breakfast and showed him photos of a large deer with massive antlers he said nothing. That evening I asked him what time he wanted breakfast in the morning. He asked me what time I was going out. His priorities won over his habits.

Wait until he finds out that next summer in Glacier he'll have breakfast on the fly several times. His choice.

Moongoddess

The hill is impossible to miss, so don't worry about that.

I'd recommend continuing the hike all the way to Fairy Falls, if you can. It's an easy hike, and the falls are spectacular. And if your feet are up to it, a quarter-mile away from Fairy Falls there's a small lake surrounded by several geysers (Imperial and Spray Geysers) which is worth a look as well. Viewing thermal features in the backcountry is special: no boardwalks, and no warning signs every 10 feet. You do have to use some common sense, though.