Summit Lake Trailhead (9K9)

Emerald Pool

~22 min drive

<p>Emerald Pool is a large steaming pool with thin, solidified sinter around the edge of the pool. Orange thermophiles line the bottom of the pool and throughout the outwash channel. Emerald Pool was once blue with some yellow thermophiles that caused its waters to appear gree…

Sunset Lake

~22 min drive

<p>A large colorful pool, Sunset Lake is deep and blue at the center. Along the shallow shelf of sinter surrounding the pool grow yellow and then orange thermophiles. Sunset Lake has had previous eruptions and constant boiling activity due to its high temperatures, with the la…

Cliff Geyser

~22 min drive

<p>Cliff Geyser is a clear pool in a geyserite ring that sits along the river bank. Round, bulbous geyserite fills the ring and forms the outer edge, but outside the ring pea-sized geyserite covers the surface. Hard sinter covers the further surrounding area. Some orange therm…

Black Sand Basin Trailhead

~22 min drive

1 mile (1.6 km) walk to Black Sand Basin from Daisy Geyser or 1 mile (1.6 km) drive northwest of Old Faithful along the main road. Named for sand derived from black volcanic glass (obsidian), this basin features some of the most splendid hot springs in Yellowstone. Hydrother…

Black Sand Pool

~23 min drive

<p>Black Sand Pool is a large, blue pool sitting in a hillside depression with a narrow runoff channel that fans out once outside of the hillside tree line, forming braided channels of orange thermophiles. Initially referred to as the Black Sand Geyser, Black Sand Pool used to…

Mystic Falls Trailhead

~23 min drive

This trailhead provides access to the following trails: Mystic Falls Trail Summit Lake Trail Mystic Falls Trail This 2.4-mile (3.8-km) there-and-back trail follows a lovely creek through mixed conifer forest to the 70-foot Mystic Falls, over which the Little Firehole River…

Avoca Spring

~23 min drive

<p>Avoca Spring is a linear, elongated pool that continuously boils with built-up, solidified sinter above the water level. Some of the surrounding area with runoff water is home to orange-colored thermophiles. Avoca Spring has steady boiling and overflowing activity, but no d…

Comet Geyser

~23 min drive

<p>Comet Geyser is constantly splashing and doesn't have defined eruptions, just bursts in activity. The cone of geyserite has a unique, almost squished, shape likely due to the continuous splashing. One side of the cone is lower and allows water to flow out into the surroundi…

Artemisia Geyser

~23 min drive

<p>Named for the color of the geyserite deposits around the feature that are a similar grey-green to sage bush, Artemisia Geyser is one of the largest pools in the park. The geyserite deposits form areas of almost terraced pools around the main pool. Eruptions of the large blu…

Gem Pool

~23 min drive

<p>Gem Pool is a large bright blue with thin, solidified sinter lining the edge of the pool. Orange thermophiles exist along the edge of the pool on the thin sinter and lining the runoff areas. Vegetation grows up to the area of thin sinter.</p> <p>Gem Pool has an average temp…