If you read our blog you may remember the entry, in June, where we hiked to the periodic spring near Afton, Wyoming. It was a really pleasant hike, but the change in water volume, the periodicity of the spring, wasn't very apparent. The guide book said that the best time to see the change was in the fall, so yesterday we went back to see the difference/periodic change.
Accompanied by our daughter Jenny, we all enjoyed the short hike to the spring. It really is a pleasant and easy hike, at least until you reach the side valley from which the springs flow originates. Then it steepens and Renita and I both had to stop to catch our breaths.
We could see that the water emerged below the natural spring opening and so we were disappointed in that the spring was dry. Still we waited a bit and just as I was about to head back down, Renita and Jenny both heard a strong gurgling sound. It became so loud that even I could hear the splashing and moving water. The water soon appeared in the opening and quickly rose until I was kneeling in the fast currents flow.
It was one of the most amazing things I have seen in quite a while and we all just had to shake our heads and laugh at the sudden reemergence of the spring. It was truly an amazing site. Finally we headed back down, and by the time we reached the bridge the stream and spring had already subsided to its lower flow.
If you are ever in the area in the fall, you really don't want to miss the changing flow of the periodic spring at Afton. Where else can you see and hear a cold water geyser? Its well worth the effort and remember to get out of the way of the waters flow. Clear skies
How neat that must have been.
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