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West Thumb
Village in Wyoming
Travel Tips
DISTANCE: 0.3 miles, DURATION: 30 Minutes, PARKING: Easy 1
Arrive early to catch the sunrise and explore nearby geysers. 2
Visit the visitor's center to check Old Faithful's eruption times. 3
0.3 miles with easy parking. A 30-minute visit is recommended. 4
Arrive before sunrise. Dress warmly as mornings can be freezing. 5
Don't skip this stop despite time constraints; the boardwalk trail is short and offers diverse thermal features. 6
Introduction
Hydrothermal Features
- ๐ก๏ธ Abyss Pool: Known for its impressive depth of 53 feet and beautiful ultramarine hue.
- ๐ฃ Fishing Cone: Historically used to cook fish caught in Yellowstone Lake, now prohibited.
- ๐ค Black Pool: Originally dark due to cooler temperatures, now a vibrant blue.
- ๐ Occasional Geyser: Erupts every 20-40 minutes, reaching heights of 3-12 feet.
- ๐ Thumb Paint Pots: Mud pots that change activity levels over time, creating mud cones.
- ๐ง Blue Funnel Spring: Notable for its optical illusion caused by light refraction.
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Historical Significance
- ๐ Daniel T. Potts: First wrote about West Thumb in a letter published in 1827.
- ๐งญ Folsom-Cook-Peterson Expedition: First scientific expedition to explore the area in 1869.
- ๐ข Steamship Zillah: Used to ferry visitors to the Lake Hotel before road access was available.
- ๐๏ธ Early Development: Included a large campground, cabins, a photo shop, and a gas station, removed in the 1980s to protect the area.
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Visitor Information
- ๐ถ Trail Length: The boardwalk trail is 0.6 to 1.0 miles long.
- โฟ Accessibility: The trail is wheelchair accessible with some assistance on slopes.
- ๐ Best Time to Visit: Summer is busiest; spring and fall have fewer crowds. Sunset visits offer quieter experiences.
- ๐ป Facilities: Bathrooms are located at the end of the parking lot at the trailhead.
- ๐ Location: Near the Grant Village Visitor Center on the west side of Yellowstone Lake.
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Wildlife
- ๐ป Bears: Grizzly and black bears frequent the area, especially in spring.
- ๐ฆ Elk: Elk cows and their calves are often seen in May and June.
- ๐ฆ Bald Eagles: Dive into the bay to catch cutthroat trout.
- ๐ฆฆ River Otters: Seen popping in and out of holes in the ice during winter.
- ๐ฆ Coyotes: Often seen eating fish scraps left by otters.
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Activities
- ๐ฃ Canoeing and Kayaking: Popular on Lewis Lake and Yellowstone Lake.
- ๐ฅพ Hiking: Trails like the Scenic Lake Overlook and wilderness trailheads for backpacking.
- ๐ Visitor Center: Exhibits on fire ecology and the 1988 fires.
- ๐ธ Photography: Stunning views of geysers, hot springs, and wildlife.
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Lodging and Camping
- ๐จ Grant Village Lodge: Offers hotel-style accommodations with amenities.
- ๐๏ธ Grant Village Campground: Large campground with amenities, opens late due to bear activity.
- ๐ฒ Lewis Lake Campground: More rustic camping experience to the south.
- โบ Backcountry Camping: Available for those looking to stay overnight at primitive campsites.
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