Norris Geyser Basin Trails (Cistern Spring Junction) in Yellowstone

Norris Geyser Basin Trails (Cistern Spring Junction)

Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. It is outside of the most recent Yellowstone caldera, but inside the first and largest caldera. It sits on the intersection of three major faults and is a very active earthquake area.

Each year, new hot springs and geysers appear while others become dormant. Geologic events trigger many of these changes. Even small earthquakes can alter hydrothermal behavior.

Clear pools become muddy and boil violently, and some temporarily become geysers. Geysers stop erupting or have altered cycles. New features appear. This sudden activity is known as a “thermal disturbance” and can last a few days, or more than a week. Gradually, most features return to “normal.”

No one fully understands why this happens. Norris has the greatest water chemistry diversity among Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. The water chemistry changes as the water levels of underground hot water reservoirs fluctuates.

Although Norris is known for its acid features, it also have alkaline hot springs and geysers. As underground water and chemistry shift suddenly, they could contribute to dramatic changes in minerals and pH.

Hot Springs

Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in Yellowstone. Their plumbing has no constrictions.

Superheated water cools as it reaches the surface, sinks, and is replaced by hotter water from below.

This circulation prevents water from reaching the temperature needed to set off an eruption.

Geysers

Geysers have constrictions in their plumbing systems that prevent water from moving freely to the surface where heat would escape. Water beneath the constrictions creates a buildup of steam. Eventually the steam pushes water past the constrictions and the geyser erupts.

Philetus Norris

Philetus W. Norris was the second superintendent of Yellowstone national Park from 1877 to 1882. He recorded the Norris Geyser Basin area’s hydrothermal features in detail and his extensive exploration added immensely to the geographic knowledge of the park.

Norris also oversaw construction of the park’s first roads, parts of which still remain as the Grand Loop Road.

Norris hired the park’s first “gamekeeper” and campaigned for legislation to help adequately protect Yellowstone against the ravages of poachers and vandals.

Color and Heat Lovers

Hydrothermal features are also habitats in which microscopic organisms survive and thrive. They are called thermophiles: "thermo" for heat and "phile" for lover.

Although they are too small to be seen with the naked eye, trillions are grouped together and appear as masses of color. They are nourished by energy and chemical building blocks.

Colorless and yellow thermophiles grow in the hottest water.

Orange, brown, and green thermophiles grow in cooler waters.

Imagine living in near-boiling temperatures, in hydrothermal features with the alkalinity of baking soda, or in water so acidic that it can burn holes in clothing. Microorganisms in Yellowstone need these extremes to survive.

Accessibility

Visitors using wheelchairs can see the steam and colors of Porcelain Basin from the Norris Museum. Emerald Pool, Steamboat and Echinus geysers are nearby and are accessible with assistance. Wheelchair travel into Porcelain and Back basins is difficult due to stairs, steep inclines, uneven ground, and changes in trail surface. Visitors using manual wheelchairs may require assistance; motorized wheelchairs may not have enough power. Consult the area trail guide or ask a ranger to recommend routes.

Due to rough terrain, expect steep grades that exceed 8% and uneven ground where rocks and roots protrude into the trail. Most of these sections are marked on the Norris Geyser Basin Trail Guide map, but may change. Use caution.