Photographs of Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Chromatic Spring is situated 150 feet west of the equally colorful, but larger Beauty Pool. Both are right beside the trail and so are easily viewed close-up. The greenish-blue pool of Chromatic Spring is about 30 feet in diameter though the vent is much narrower; most is shallow, colored rich shades of red and orange by cyanobacteria, the deep colors indicating that the water temperature is relatively low. The run-off channel is similarly colored, heading north then bending west and meeting the Firehole River. The spring does not erupt though its water level gradually rises and falls, over a long period (weeks to months).

Just beyond Chromatic Spring, the path crosses to the west side of the Firehole River and enters the Giant Group, of which the first thermal feature is Oblong Geyser.

Back to map of the Upper Geyser Basin

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