Crested Pool
The water is in a state of vigorous boil, which at an elevation of 7300 feet is 199 degrees F.
Plan Around Crested Pool
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Crested Pool Details
As you can see, the water in Crested Pool is in a state of vigorous boil, which at our elevation of 7300 feet is 199 degrees F, or 93 degrees C. So Crested Pool is obviously hot enough to be a geyser, so why doesn't it erupt like Castle or Old Faithful? The answer lies beneath the scalding water. Apparently Crested Pool does not have a narrow constriction underneath, so most of the pressure is being released on a constant basis. Of course, all it would take would be for an earthquake to rearrange the plumbing system underneath, and Crested could be transformed into a major geyser. Notice the dark, blue color of Crested Pool. That is a good clue as to just how hot the water is. If the pool is deep enough, the water absorbs the red wave lengths of visible light and reflects blue, even on a cloudy day, much the same way that a swimming pool with a white bottom appears blue. On the other hand, if the pool is shallow, the water will simply be clear. The other various colors that you see are mostly the result of cyanobacteria, which grows in water temperatures below about 167 degrees F. In fact, you can just about guess the temperature of the water by looking at its color. For example, from about 170 degrees up to the boiling point, the water will appear clear to blue, depending on the depth of the pool. At around 160 degrees, the bacteria will exhibit a light yellow color. At around 130 to 140, the color will consist of a bright orange, which darkens as the water cools. So in general, the lighter the color bacteria, the hotter the water. To put the temperature of the water into perspective, think about your water heater at home. Most of us have the thermostat set at about 125 degrees F., which as you know is very hot! So clearly, this water is very beautiful to look at, but no way would you want to get any part of your body in it! Source: National Park Service, Exploring the Upper Geyser Basin, Orville Bach
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around Crested Pool
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Crested Pool
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Crested Pool while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Morning Glory Pool
This roundtrip hike takes you through the heart of the Upper Geyser Basin.
0.0 mi away
Castle Geyser
Erupts about every 14 hours, and a typical major eruption has a 20 minute water phase.
0.1 mi away
South Scalloped Spring
Named for the ornate mineral formations along the edge of the pool.
0.1 mi away
Skeleton Trees
Over many years, thermal waters have flowed, not only killing the trees, but preserving them.
0.1 mi away
Scalloped Spring
The water level has obviously dropped over the years, most likely due from an earthquake.
