Lone Star Geyser
Lone Star Geyser is one of several backcountry geysers found in Yellowstone National Park. Backcountry geysers reside just a bit off the beaten path and one must hike to them to enjoy their splendor. Not only are the backcountry geysers exceptional in their geothermal features, but also in their more pristine environment. Most visitors to Yellowstone National Park are doing a whirl wind tour following the main stream of traffic and not exploring the park, beyond the pavement. So for those of you who are looking for an experience in Yellowstone that is more authentic, leave the pavement and try exploring the backcountry geysers.
With regards to backcountry geysers, Lone Star Geyser is the best approachable in the Geyser Region. You can access the geyser by hiking or biking along an old paved road, which is now closed to motorized traffic. The trailhead, known as Lone Star, is located just upstream from Kepler Cascades. The parking area is on the south side of the road from Old Faithful to West Thumb, about 3.5 miles southwest of Old Faithful. Kepler Cascades is a great stop, offering a spectacular display of the Firehole River as a 150 foot stair-step waterfall. Near the parking lot is the trailhead, a 5 mile round-trip hike/bike to the Lone Star Geyser. The trail winds along the Firehole River through pastoral meadows and a forest. Its gentle terrain is a trail that is manageable and simply a "must do". You may see other people on the trail, but the area exudes a solitary air. It is possible to safely leave the trail and find an isolated spot to relax or picnic.
Lone Star Geyser is a very regular geyser, with intervals between major eruptions about every three hours. The large cone of the geyser sits on a low geyserite mound, along with two other alkaline springs, both small geysers. Lone Star has both major and minor eruptions, derived from one main vent and several minor vents located at the top of the cone. The major eruptions of Lone Star Geyser reach 45 feet high, lasting about 30 minutes, and conclude with a remarkably powerful and noisy steam phase. There are two, or rarely three, minor eruptions that occur prior to the major eruption. The minor eruption reaches about the same height, but only last for about 5 minutes and does not conclude with a steam phase.
Neighboring hot springs to Lone Star Geyser lie near the base of the hillside to the north and along the banks of the Firehole River. Buried Geyser, the only significant nearby geyser has both frequent and powerful eruptions. However, it has been largely ignored by most visitors in spite of its notable activity. Buried Geyser is located near the base of a hill, about 1/2 mile east-southeast of Lone Star Geyser, on the south side of the Firehole River. There is no trail leading to the geyser, and one must ford the river near Lone Star, or cross the river on the Shoshone Lake Trail bridge about 1/2 mile west of Lone Star, which requires a bit of backtracking.
The National Park Service maintains a logbook at Lone Star so that visitors can document the times of any eruptions they observe. This provides each visitor with some information, making it easier in predicting the next major eruption. Check the logbook for the most recent recorded major eruption and add 3 hours, or multiples of 3 hours if necessary. Keep in mind that Lone Star has both minor and major eruptions, and it is not uncommon for casual visitors to observe a minor eruption, and then leave by mistake without seeing the major eruption. Take your time, if you are going to hike the 5 miles round-trip, you might as well stay for a while and enjoy the whole show.
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