Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake
This backcountry thermal feature lies 7.4 miles from Grand Loop Road at 8,500 feet elevation, representing one of Yellowstone's most remote documented geothermal sites. The National Park Service records it as a hot gas vent in the Mary Lake drainage, accessible only through multi-day wilderness expeditions requiring permits and complete self-sufficiency.
The vents occupy high-elevation terrain in Yellowstone's interior backcountry, where subalpine forest meets alpine meadow conditions. The surrounding landscape experiences severe climate with average annual temperatures of 31.6 degrees Fahrenheit and 145 inches of annual snowfall. Steep topography characterizes the area, with thermal runoff creating localized vegetation patterns in otherwise dense lodgepole and subalpine fir forest. The site sits in a remote drainage system with no maintained trails.
The feature name describes its location relative to Mary Lake, a backcountry water body named during early Yellowstone survey expeditions. USGS thermal mapping teams reached this site during helicopter-supported surveys in the 1970s, documenting it as part of comprehensive efforts to catalog the park's thousands of thermal features regardless of accessibility.
This destination requires advanced wilderness skills including off-trail navigation, river crossing, and multi-day backpacking experience. Apply for backcountry permits months in advance; demand exceeds supply. Access window runs July through mid-September due to snowpack. Carry satellite communication device, detailed topographic maps, and bear-resistant food storage. Only attempt if experienced with remote Yellowstone backcountry conditions including potential thermal ground hazards.
Is Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake worth visiting?
Best for
- Backpacking adventures
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Day trips with young children
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