Two minutes after we arrived at Lone Star, while we were tying up our bikes, it began a major eruption. Spent about ten minutes watching the eruption, then headed off toward Shoshone Geyser Basin.
As expected, the hike in took more time than previous trips, as it's been six years since the last visit. Went in this time because we were able to piggyback on a research permit which would allow some time on the west side of the creek.
On the way in, we got to see the trail crew in action. One section of muddy walkway, just beyond the last thermal area on the trail from Lone Star, had already been replaced. Another section, the extremely muddy walk just before the start of the upgrade to Grant Pass was in progress. Was surprised to see that it was being built over steel beams, and should last a while because of that. But for now, that meant walking over the wet area on the planks of the former walkway, laid down haphazardly as a detour. Definitely had to watch your step on that.
Otherwise the walk to basin was uneventful. We arrived at just after 10:00, and went on toward Minute Man Geyser. The pool was in overflow, and Minute Man itself was noisy. We got the first eruption of the series a few minutes later. For the next three hours, it would erupt with intervals between 50 and 90 seconds.
Across the creek we saw activity from Velvet, Lion and other features that I'm not familiar with. There was also a deer grazing way back near the trees. We met up with the permit holders and split up, with one team across the creek while others stayed to make contact with those on the trail. Just as part of our group was about to cross over, Bead erupted. At that point Shield and Gourd also started, and they seemed to be active most of the rest of our visit.
So I was on the east side for a few hours. Watched and timed Minute Man, then did a survey of the other features. Triple Bulger was erupting from the nearer vent (I believe that's the blowout.) Never got any good timings, but some of the bursts were 1.5 meters high. Double Geyser was overflowing steady, with a stream of bubbles rising from one of the opening. Little Giant was quiet, while the new feature next to it seemed even larger, erupting vigorously to several meters at times.
We also made contact with several groups who came in from the lake landing to the south, as well as the Shoshone Lake patrol ranger. One of the groups had intended to spend the day exploring the area, and were surprised and disappointed to learn that the area was closed, and the best they could do was to see the western features from viewpoints along the trail. I think they also planned on doing some hotpotting.
Finally crossed over to the west side of the creek, just in time for another eruption of Bead. Then we got the first of a few spells of light sprinkles. Spent some time around Velvet, which was having intervals of about 12 minutes. Over by Coral Spring, we saw Diverted Geyser was quiet, and it started while we were there. It appears that it is usually active, so we were fortunate to see it quiet.
Did a run up to Boiling Cauldron. The sluiceway seems the same, while I'm sure the details have changed since my last visit. The bison skeleton in the nearby deep pool has become harder to pick out.
Over at the hot pot, despite the area closure, the beaver dam was in place. The boiling spring that supplied much of the water was not overflowing, so the only water source was the boiling ragged vent next to the creek. The tree which had fallen over it just before my last visit had left a pile of needles on the ground near the spring, and all the branches were blackened but in place. (I need to check, but I thought back then that pool was point onto the tree, which I thought might cause some silicification.) The little "Anthills" were all dry and quiet.
The trip back was interesting. We started back at 16:00, and until we got to the construction zone, there was constant thunder in the distance. But it never rained. I also learned, about a mile into the hike back, that my old hiking boots were finally falling apart. The sole on the heel of one was completely detached and flopping, while the other was threatening to do the same. So for the next five miles I tried to watch how I was walking and where I was stepping so I would not tear them any further. That slowed us down a bit, but I made it back to the bike without having to resort to my river crossing sandals. And my feet felt fine when we finally got to the bikes at Lone Star.
Get back into the area and learn that it's been 5-1/2 hours since the previous One Burst Grand eruption, so of course we need to go out there, even if it is after sunset.
Ended up not having to wait. Turban made a noise, and Grand immediately had an explosive start to the One Burst Eruption. There was just enough light that we didn't need to illuminate the eruption.
And while Grand was erupting, Castle started. Didn't realize this until after Grand had quit. By the time we got over there, it was already in steam phase, and with the wind, getting the entire walkway up from the bridge wet.
