Skeleton Trees
Over many years, thermal waters have flowed, not only killing the trees, but preserving them.
Plan Around Skeleton Trees
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Skeleton Trees Details
We are standing in the midst of several old lodgepole pine trees, which have obviously undergone quite a transformation. The dominant tree in Yellowstone is the lodgepole pine, which does very well in this relatively poor volcanic soil. Here we are truly looking at a monument to change, as over many years, thermal waters have flowed in this direction, not only killing the trees, but preserving them. Since the hot water is rich in silica, the wood has a wicking effect, and absorbs the mineral several feet up the trunk of the tree. The result is the tree becomes silicified at the base. It is similar to taking a wooden post and setting it in cement or concrete. Normally in this dry humidity with long, cold winters, wood decomposes very slowly. Once a tree falls to the ground, it may take well over 100 years for the wood to break down and return to the soil. But if the wood has been silicified as it has here, these trees may stand for centuries as skeleton trees. Such trees are often referred to as "bobby sox" trees, due to the white silica at the base. In fact, anywhere you see the gray-white mineral silica on the ground tells us that at some time in the past hot water has flowed over the ground. For example, look back up at Crested Pool and note that it sits up on top of a large mound of geyserite that has built up over the years from water flowing out of the pool in different directions. So where does all of this hot water flow? Right down here into the river—a river that that may be the most unique in the world. That will be our next stop. Source: National Park Service, Exploring the Upper Geyser Basin, Orville Bach
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Low
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Nearby Parks Around Skeleton Trees
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Skeleton Trees
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Skeleton Trees while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
South Scalloped Spring
Named for the ornate mineral formations along the edge of the pool.
0.0 mi away
Scalloped Spring
The water level has obviously dropped over the years, most likely due from an earthquake.
0.1 mi away
Sawmill
This feature is a geyser, not merely a hot spring, due to the biscuit like mineral deposits.
0.1 mi away
Crested Pool
The water is in a state of vigorous boil, which at an elevation of 7300 feet is 199 degrees F.
0.1 mi away
Morning Glory Pool
This roundtrip hike takes you through the heart of the Upper Geyser Basin.
