[Geysers] Relatively brief West Thumb update

[Ben Hoppe]

The southeast portion of the basin continues to be enjoyable. Lakeside
Spring seems to have calmed down slightly, though it still does have
periodic overflows. The water is now much clearer than it had been even a
month ago. Bacteria is starting to grow in the runoff channel. I haven't
had a chance recently to take a temperature reading of the runoff at the
boardwalk, I will do that in the coming week if I remember.

Lakeshore Geyser is exposed from the chilly lake water. Today was the first
day that it has had visible boiling, but only the pressure pool at this
point. It is currently operating on 4-5 minute cycles. At the peak of these
cycles, the pressure pool will have boiling and splashing 1-1.5 feet in
height. The main vent will just overflow heavily at this moment. I won't be
surprised if the main vent resumes the heavy boiling and surging it was
doing in May before being overtaken by the lake.

King Geyser has not erupted this summer. The last recorded eruption is
January 31, 2015 per GT. The boiling doesn't seem as vigorous as it was
about 1 month ago.

"Skinny" continues to have recorded eruptions about every 5-10 days. Who
knows if it is going on shorter intervals than that, that's just observed
eruptions which are typically observed by rangers on programs or roves in
the early-to-mid afternoon.

No water visible in Twin. Daily water level fluctuations are observed
throughout the middle section of the geyser basin in Blue Funnel, Thumb,
Ledge, and Surging.

Occasional is still operating on 20-35 minute intervals. I have not,
however, recorded or watched any eruptions recently. A chip seal project
has been ongoing for a few weeks in the area. I don't feel comfortable out
in this area with loose gravel and without painted lines.

No idea on what Lone Pine is doing. Just when I think I have an idea of
what's going on, it throws me for a loop. So in other words: don't know,
don't ask.

-Ben Hoppe
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