Uncertain Geyser.

Once again we're back to the temperamental and spellbinding Sawmill Group in the Upper Geyser Basin. The last time we were here we discussed Penta Geyser. Now we are going to discuss Uncertain Geyser, a favorite among several Geyser Gazers, and a geyser that proves somewhat elusive to catch.

Sawmill Geyser is the dominant geyser in the Sawmill Group, photo by: Micah K.

Everything in the Sawmill Group is affected by, of course; Sawmill Geyser. Uncertain is no exception. After every eruption of Sawmill the water levels in the group will drain several feet and then refill. This happens several times over until Sawmill has a much longer duration eruption, usually this is several hours long instead of the typical 90 minutes. After this eruption finally ends, the Sawmill Group undergoes a "Deep Drain" where the water levels in all the features plummet for several hours, in most of the springs it is even impossible to see water. After a few hours goes by the water levels begin to recover, and this is where the fun begins.

Twilight Spring in the Sawmill Group recovers from a drain following an eruption of Sawmill. Photo by:Micah K.

 Several features in the Sawmill Group only erupt, or usually erupt when the water level is coming up from a deep drain. Uncertain Geyser is one of those. Uncertain's crater is nothing more than a small nearly circular hole tucked against the thick geyserite shoulder of Sawmill Geyser. It is a race between Uncertain and the rest of the group. If nearby Twilight Spring reaches overflow before Uncertain erupts, the game is over, if Tardy Geyser nearby erupts first, usually that spells doom for the chances of Uncertain. If Sawmill Geyser erupts first, it usually isn't a good sign, but sometimes Uncertain will erupt in concert with Sawmill for a fantastic show. See how complicated the relationships are? Fantastic right? It's patterns and puzzles like these that make geyser gazing so much fun!

Despite it's unfortunate knack for keeping Uncertain from erupting. Tardy Geyser just down the boardwalk still puts on quite the show of its own. Photo by Micah K. 

As the water level comes up in the Sawmill Group, usually Uncertain will splash within it's vent or pulse up and down. If an eruption will occur, the water level will rise to the top of the rim and the splashing will grow vigorous, finally the splashing will turn into jetting, and neat little fountain of water will spray 10-15 feet into the sky for about five minutes. The eruption ends with a small steam phase.

Uncertain Geyser erupts! Photo by Micah K

For me the reason that I enjoy Uncertain so much is simply the buildup. The tension that occurs once you see all the criteria are in place and that the race is on between Uncertain and the other features is very fun. I'm sure I got many weird looks from visitors as I scampered from feature to feature jotting things quickly in my logbook before running to the next feature. But you know what, I loved every second of it.

Penta Geyser.

Nearly smack dab in the center of the Upper Geyser Basin, surrounded by an open sheet of sinter deposits, bordered on the south by the frigid (Ironically named) Firehole River, Lies a cluster of about 19 different springs and geysers in an area roughly the size of half a football field. Welcome to the Sawmill Group.

Aerial view of the Sawmill Group. Geysers are White, Hot Springs are blue, Penta Geyser is Gold. 

Named for the largest Geyser in the group, this is one of the most fascinating groups of features in Yellowstone. Why? because of a certain type of activity known as an "exchange of function". When you walk up to the Sawmill Group, you are walking up to a geothermal battlefield. every day there is a constant battle that rages for which geysers get the energy. I'll explain more of this activity of the whole group on a later date, but for now, I'm going to focus on the geyser that is cherished (and loathed) by many a geyser gazer in Yellowstone. This is the humble, yet mighty, Penta Geyser.

Penta Geyser's cone. taken from a kneeling position on the boardwalk. June 2013.
Photo courtesy of Micah Kipple 

Penta Geyser is one of the many geysers in Yellowstone that "thrives on the tears of geyser gazers", you need just the right kind of set up to get it, and sometimes even the set ups end with crushed spirits and vehement cursing. But when the set up actually ends in a eruption, it is a one of a kind show. Penta is named for it's 5 vents, the largest of which erupts to 25 feet. the other's can get up to 6 feet. Here's the catch, Penta is only about 4-5 feet from the boardwalk. Which means when there's an eruption. It's shower time. The pulsing jets of this delightful cone can last for 2 hours, this year however, it's been anywhere from 40 minutes-1.5 hours.

Penta Geyser erupts September 6, 2013. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Strasser. 

Penta Geyser eluded me for almost the entirety of the 3 months that I was employed in Yellowstone National Park in 2013. I always seemed to miss it, sometimes only by minutes. It erupted 25 times behind my back. Finally, on September 6, 2013, my luck held, and while waiting for nearby Grand Geyser (#10 on the list) Penta geyser was called. One gazer also waiting on a nearby bench simply recalls "a orange blur flying down the boardwalk blowing by bewildered tourists". But I managed to make it, and enjoyed almost the entire eruption of 52 minutes.

Celebrating my first Penta eruption. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Strasser