August 6, 2015 Hike to Intermittent Spring in Afton, WY

Thursday, August 6, 2015 Hike to Intermittent Spring in Afton, WY

This Intermittent Spring is North America’s only known cold water geyser.  It is also the largest of 3 fluctuating springs in the world.  We came off of the main road onto a gravel road for 5 miles through a canyon.  The twists and turns of the Swift River along the trail was enjoyable.  We also passed two waterfalls that could be seen from the road.   We reached the beginning of the trail and had a ¾ mile hike ahead of us to get to the springs.  As we reached the springs we didn’t realize that we had to hike up to the top which we did.  When  we reached the top the water was coming out at a steady but slow pace.  We then heard some gurgling going on and before we knew it the water had increased and after a while it slowed again.  We couldn’t actually see the geyser as they had it blocked off so no one would damage it.  The Indians believe that bathing in this spring would cure their ills.  The Indians would travel great distances to get to this spring.  They named it the “spring that breathes”.  This was a very spectacular geyser.  We have now seen a cold water geyser and a hot water geyser within a month of each other.  Who knew!!!

Happy Birthday to my brother, Carlo.

Check this out a White Winged Blackbird???? THIS IS A LARK BUNTING I HAVE BEEN TOLD

Our wildlife shot today

Swift River

Steps to somewhere but we didn't explore

At first we thought that this was just a waterfall nope the spring is at the top

Mike looking slimmer

Geyser at its smallest flow rate

Geyser coming up 

Geyser at its peak

Janee Falls

Shawnee Falls