We started the day with a wonderful buffet style breakfast at the historic Lake Hotel, overlooking Yellowstone Lake.

Afterwards, we hiked on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, taking time to journal and absorb our surroundings. We observed several species of ducks, White Pelicans, Wilson’s Snipe, and Sandhill Cranes. During this time, we saw and learned about the Yellowing Sand Verbina. This plant species is endemic to the park, only found on the shores of this very lake. It is thought to survive the alpine conditions due to geothermal heating from the hydrothermic features in and around the lake. It is highly protected so if you see it- observe from a distance. 

Shortly after our morning walk on the lake, we went to talk with some park rangers about invasive aquatic species in Yellowstone. They talked to use about the importance of cleaning and drying the boats as they enter the park to prevent the further spread of things like zebra muscles and golden muscles. When we were done we went to play in some water to check for some frogs. We found a boreal chorus frog and a Columbia spotted frog. We also found a surprise a western tiger salamander!!! (This is especially exciting as there is only one species of salamander found here, compared to the North Carolina salamander hot spot we are used to).

This afternoon, we visited the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Continental Divide, Old Faithful, and the Grand Prismatic. The thermal hot springs of the Geyser Basin were incredible. We saw dark teal-blue pools of water becoming yellow, burnt orange, and brown as water flowed over the light tan crust and into Yellowstone Lake. Using a laser thermometer from a safe distance, we observed a temperature range between 81.5-151 degrees Fahrenheit in these bodies of water. We also saw two snakes, which is rare in Yellowstone. As we left the Geyser Basin, we made our way to the Continental Divide, where Isa Lake sends water towards the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We got to experience an Old Faithful eruption with “thousands of our closest friends”, as Melissa would say.  To end our day with a gorgeous overlook of Grand Prismatic and an expert topic on bioprospecting from Jacob.