Headwaters of the Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast

Yellowstone's Boiling River Opens for Summer

Finally.  Thanks to a few warmer days, the snow pack is slowly melting away.  The rivers are slowly responding to the drop in water flow. Our rocky beach has yet to appear but the willows are marching in that direction.  The cool spring has made the salmon fly hatch later than usual (last report it was about 1/2 way up the Paradise Valley) and even the greens in the garden are making only a tiny appearance.  

It's summer.  Kinda.  

One sure sign that we have reached that blessed summer season is that the Boiling River is open again.  Situated between Gardiner and Mammoth, this section of the Gardner River is blessed with a large supply of hot springs water pouring out of its banks - making the river hot in some spots, warm in others and cool on the edges.  Something for everybody.  My favorite is the section where the current cools your feet while the hot water ripples on the surface - a study in the contrasts that characterize our mountain home.  

Bring a towel (it's a quarter mile walk to the springs and a wet walk back) and a contemplative attitude.  To me, sitting in the Boiling River evokes both memories and awe. It's a great place to meet people in the summer (the middle of the day can be crowded), a wonderful place to watch the elk rut in the fall and (my favorite) the quietest place in the whole park on a steamy winter morning.    

A few tips: 

1.  This is a very  special place.  PLEASE treat it with respect.  Obey all posted signs (they are for your safety as well as the safety of this place) and clean up after yourself when you leave.  

2.  Remember that it is NOT legal to soak in Yellowstone's hot springs anywhere in the park. The only other designated swimming area is in Firehole Canyon near Old Faithful; another river way that is blessed with warm water pouring into it.  

3.  The Boiling River is CLOSED at night.  Alcohol and nudity are prohibited.  

Yellowstone National Park for your IPod

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park has produced a series of excellent podcasts that you can download onto your Ipod before you get to the park?  They cover general introductions to each area of the park, information for kids,  wildlife, and the history of the park.  Many star our good friend Ranger Beth!  You can subscribe to the podcasts or watch streaming video HERE.

Also available, are more extensive video presentations called Yellowstone InDepth. Currently, the following episodes are available for streaming or downloading - our favorite is Episode 4: The Wolf Generation.  You might recognize some of the "stars" of this podcast in our acting debut!   

   

 Episode 4: The Wolf Generation

Kids, these days, rule the world. Just as our youngsters are teaching us how to explore the world through technology, Yellowstone's young wolves are teaching us things we never thought possible in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Discover how this new generation of wolves is transforming our understanding of the natural world. 9 minutes.

Episode 3: Bears, A Yellowstone Love Story

In Yellowstone, everyone loves the bears. In the park’s early years, people fed them along the roadside and they learned to beg and scavenge at hotels, campgrounds, and the park garbage dumps. But was the era of the "beggar bear" ultimately good for people or the bears? Find out how this love affair has evolved over time. 9 minutes.

Episode 2: Troubled Waters

On the surface, Yellowstone's waters look placid and pristine. But look closer, and things aren't quite what they seem. There's trouble in the waters. Aquatic invaders - including fish, parasites, and snails -- are moving in on native species. Follow three scientists as they search for answers in restoring health to Yellowstone's lakes and rivers. 7 minutes.

Episode 1: Yellowstone's Restless Giant

The Yellowstone supervolcano is one of our planet's restless giants. For scientists, the question is not one of whether it will erupt again, but when. Are there signs this giant is reawakening? Could it erupt in our lifetimes? Discover how geologists are monitoring the pulse of the Yellowstone volcano. 6 minutes.

And, if you want to take a peak at today's weather...or just see an erruption of Old Faithful geyser, you can view the Yellowstone National Park webcams HERE.