Early morning walk to Occum Pond, Hanover

About time I visited Occum Pond before I left Hanover – not that I’m going far away. 

Bryce and Zion National Parks

Graduation Trip - 28th May–3rd June 2016

Bryce Canyon is known for sandstone formations due to frost weathering and stream erosion of sedimentary rocks called hoodoos. The rim at Bryce varies from 8000 to 9000 ft. There are many spectacular hiking trails all across the park. Most hikes start with a steep descent and end with uphill climb.

Zion Canyon is the prominent part of Zion National park which is 15 miles long and upto half a mile deep cut through the sandstone by Virgin river over millions of years. Zion canyon is a paradise for hikers and was certainly my favorite place during the trip. The main hiking trail is along the virgin river called the Narrows. It involves wading upstream for long stretches and hiking along the river for rest and it can easily take a day to complete the hike.

Virgin River

The gang soaking up on Bryce Canyon view!

Yellowstone National Park

Graduation Trip - 28th May–3rd June 2016

Yellowstone National Park is stretched across a 3500 square miles of active volcanic hot spot. It features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, mudspots and geysers.

Hot Springs at Yellowstone – Most common hydrothermal feature at Yellowstone. Water become superheated at depth and open plumbing system allows water to rise back to the surface. The bright colors found in hydrothermal basins are due to thermophiles – microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. Yellowstone’s hot water systems often show distinct gradations of living, vibrant colors where temperature limit of one group of microbes is reached, only to be replaced by a different set  of thermophiles.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mudpots are fomed when surface water collects in a shallow impermeable depression that has no direct connection to an underground water flow. Thermal water beneath the depression causes steam to rise through the ground, heating the collected surface water. Hydrogen Sulphide gas is usually present. Some organisms use H2S for energy and help convert the gas into sulphuric acid which breaks the rock into clay. This results in a gooey mix through which gases gurgle and bubble.

Hot spring                                                                  Mudpot

 

Old Faithful Geyser erupts more frequently than other geysers. Its average interval between eruptions is about 91 minutes and eruption lasts between 10 to 5 minutes, expelling 8400 gallons of boiling water and reaching a height of 184 ft. Its one of the most spectacular and majestic sights in Yellowstone.