One of Yellowstone's iconic thermal pools has been ruined by tourists due to persistent littering. The Morning Glory Pool, long celebrated as a "must-see" destination, now suffers from murky brown waters instead of its historical pristine blue. The pool, known for its scorching temperatures , was often treated like a "wishing well" by visitors.
Yellowstone National Park historian Alicia Murphy shared with Cowboy State Daily: "There are some lovely quotes about its beauty and stunning blue colours, and likening it to the Morning Glory flower". Man boiled alive and dissolved in water in minutes while sister filmed horror Tourist killed on river trip is 15th death at Grand Canyon in 2024 However, Murphy points out that there's an environmental cost to these actions. "People didn't understand the plumbing and how geysers worked," she explained.
"There were lots of ideas about, 'If we throw something into this pool, we might be able to make it erupt.'" Since Yellowstone's establishment in 1872 as the first national park in America, it has endured over a century of mistreatment. Murphy noted, "I think there was some trial and error and a misunderstanding of the damage they were doing".
While Morning Glory now displays a striking bronze hue, it's a far cry from the original vibrant blue. Although current visitors are more "respectful than the early days", the consensus is that the "damage has already been done". Another feature of Yellowstone that should remain untouched is the supe.