Pic: What on Earth? Vol. 2. This Smithsonian article explains the science and includes better pictures from days when it wasn’t hailing. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone NP, WY
A little sleepy from my early morning, I took a nap in a quiet area of the Canyon Village parking lot. Dirtbag achievement unlocked!
I had saved arguably the best — and decidedly the busiest — section of the park for last: the Old Faithful area. I waited for the late afternoon, hoping to swoop in quickly and avoid crowds while leaving enough time to see Fountain Paint Pots, Terrace Springs, and Grand Prismatic Spring before backpacking 3 miles and 900′ to Mallard Lake for the night.
The plan worked pretty well, except I misjudged a band of clouds and ended up visiting the mind-bending Grand Prismatic Spring in the middle of a hailstorm. The ambient humidity shrouded the warm, colorful pool in fog which looked cool but obstructed the view. I was told that the best perspective is from the top of a nearby hill but that the trail and overlook were closed for a much-needed redesign. Regardless, the striking rainbow colors made Grand Prismatic one of the coolest natural phenomena I have ever seen.
Danger Beyond This Point 