These are some of the sights you’ll see along the Mud Volcano Trail in Yellowstone National Park.
Here is Mud Volcano, located at the base of the trail. It used to have a 30-foot tall volcanic cone. Albert C. Peale, a member of the 1871 Hayden Geological Survey, noted, “The trees all about this place are coated with mud showing that it throws out mud sometimes to a considerable height.”
However, sometime prior to the area being designated a National Park in 1872, the cone blew up in an eruption. This area is still worth a visit. The rumbling sounds, smell of sulfur, and various thermal features make it a treat for the senses.
Here’s a closer look at the cracked mud around the base of Mud Volcano.
The 0.7-mile trail includes these stairs that take you up to Black Dragon’s Cauldron and the Sizzling Basin. They certainly came up with some interesting names for these thermal features!
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I can smell the mud and sulfur! Yellowstone is amazing, a treasure.
Yes, it is! That particular area is quite aromatic. ;)
With volcanic devastation in the news again lately I might have been a tad nervous if I were to visit now, especially if I heard that rumbling you speak of! :-D
Yes, the park is on top of a super volcano so I always hope it won't blow while we're visiting. 🙂 But I do live in the shadow of several active volcanoes. 🤞
Daredevil!
😁