Lion's Roar
LIONS ROAR
Near Old Faithful - Yellowstone, WY
I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, how old you are, or how many times you have seen it—Old Faithful is magical! The area around Old Faithful is a living volcano and the geysers are something to see. However, from a landscape photographer’s standpoint, it is almost impossible to capture a unique image from this area. I said almost impossible, not impossible.
I got lucky on my first visit to Old Faithful and stumbled on this great location. I call it Lion’s Roar, as the powerful eruption comes from a small series of geysers around Old Faithful called the Lion Geyser Group. What makes the shot unique is the wonderful hot water pool (Heart Spring) that sits in front of the Lion Geyser. What makes the shot difficult is that Lion Geyser is not very predictable, and it may only erupt 2-4 times each day - and you don’t know when.
When you visit Yellowstone and especially the Old Faithful area, please do your best to preserve all aspects of this location for future visitors and always try to leave it in better shape than when you found it.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). It’s an easy ½ mile walk from Old Faithful Geyser along a paved trail that turns into a boardwalk over the geyser field north of Old Faithful.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
7,368ft – Elevation
View In Google earth
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the Old Faithful Lodge parking lot.
Directions from the Old Faithful Lodge
From the north side of the Old Faithful Lodge, walk toward the Old Faithful viewing area. At the viewing area boardwalk, turn right and walk for about 100yds to a sign that says “Upper Geyer Basin,” then take the path to the right, which leads to the geyser basin.
Stay on the path and walk over the bridge crossing the Firehole River. Once you cross the bridge, continue for about another 100yds and the boardwalk will split. At the split, stay left and walk along the geyser basin for about 300yds until you see a small bluish pool of water right next to the boardwalk, which has a small sign that reads “Heart Spring”. The shot is taken on the boardwalk right where the “Heart Spring” is. If you have walked to the set of geysers that says “Lion Geyser Group,” you have gone too far.
Photography Tips
Position yourself on the boardwalk and line up the Heart Spring and the Lion Geyer. I found it best to set you tripod as high as possible and point downward to make the Heath Spring appear larger. It can be a challenge to compose the Heart Spring and the Lion Geyer without getting the boardwalk in the picture.
When the Lion Geyer erupts, it usually last for about 90 seconds (the best pressure only last about 30-45 seconds) - so you will want to be prepared! Have your composition in mind ahead of time to quickly setup or already have your tripod positioned. Once the Lion Geyer erupts, time moves quickly and you don’t want to waist it thinking about your focus and positioning. Take as many shots as possible! As the strength, position and direction of the water flow changes each moment. Pick out your favorite shot, print it big and hang it on your wall.
Bring your patience, a book or headphones as you will most likely be waiting awhile (cell service is limited).
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 24 mm
Exposure – 1/4 sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – June 15th
Time – 8:12 pm
Other Images From This Location
Best Time of Day to Shoot
The Lion Geyser erupts about 3-5 times a day and lasts about 90 seconds or so. The geyer is not really predictable, but does seem to follow a pattern once it starts. This website tracks the intervals of the eruptions Geyser Times - Lion Geyser - (it will be your best guide to understanding when the next eruption might happen).
I have been to this spot at least 5 times. The first time I visited the Lion Geyer (and took the picture above), I was just plain lucky and only had to wait about 5 minutes or so. The other times I have been there, it was at this location for 2, 3 and 6 hours before it erupted. Another time, the geyser did not erupt until after sunset.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
Best Time of Year
The best time would be spring, summer, or fall. In the spring and fall, the sun sets to the left. In the summer, the sun sets directly in front of the Lion Geyser.
The above shot was taken on June 16th
Lens(es) Needed
The above shot was taken with a 24mm lens.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Once you pay the entry fee to get into Yellowstone, there are no permits required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is northwest @ 310°.
Equipment Needed
Other than a tripod and a polarizer filter, there is no need for any special photography equipment. However, you may also want to use a tilt/shift lens to compensate for the slight keystone effect of the heart spring.
Unless you get really lucky, you will have to wait in this spot for hours. Bring your patience, the appropriate weather gear, food/water, music, headphones, a good book and a folding chair if possible. Cell service at this location is limited.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Hundreds of tourists walk by this location every day. However, it would be rare if any other photographers would be waiting at this same spot to shot.
Weather
Weather in Yellowstone is mild in the late spring, summer, and early fall and bitter in the winter. The weather in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and changes quickly.I usually get the weather from the visitor’s center or at the front desk of the Old Faithful Lodge.
Cell Service
I use Verizon, and there is NO cell service at this location. There is limited cell service at the Old Faithful area.
Lodging & Camping
Camping and lodging at the Old Faithful area is sparse. The closest campground is Madison Junction Campground (17 miles north). It is a nice campground, but it fills up quickly. There are only 3 hotels in Old Faithful and they can be pricey.
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Madison Junction Campground (17 miles north)
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Old Faithful Inn – the grand inn build back in 1904
(307) 344-7901
1 Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins – just a few hundred yards from Old Faithful
(866) 256-9046
Old Faithful Village
Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins – newest and nicest
(307) 344-7311
1000 Old Faithful Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Nearby Restaurants
The Old Faithful area is geared toward tourists and all but one restaurant is tourist food. The only restaurant I will eat at in Old Faithful is the Obsidian Dining Room in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. When you order, stick with the basics: the buffalo burger is usually outstanding and the filet can also be very good.
The adjacent bar is nice and usually has a warm fire going. They also make a great martini.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
Obsidian Dining Room
(307) 344-7311
Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Area Guides and Workshops
None
Other Resources
Website to track the geyser eruptions - Geyser Times - Lion Geyser