Periodic Spring |

Afton

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Hiking Periodic Spring - Afton Hiking Periodic Spring

Afton

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy hiking, well suited to most.
MAPS: Red Top Mountain, WY

Fri

Scattered snow showers before 10am, then scattered rain showers between 10am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. West northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

51 | 31

Sat

Snow showers before 9am, then rain and snow showers between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 50. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

50 | 32

Sun

A chance of snow showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

47 | 29

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers between 11am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

49 | 29

Tue

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

53 | 26

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SEASON: Spring through fall, though fall is best.

Fri

Scattered snow showers before 10am, then scattered rain showers between 10am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. West northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

51 | 31

Sat

Snow showers before 9am, then rain and snow showers between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 50. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

50 | 32

Sun

A chance of snow showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

47 | 29

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers between 11am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

49 | 29

Tue

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

53 | 26

View Full Weather Details
On the hike in - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

On the hike in - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

The spring and resulting cascade - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

The spring and resulting cascade - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

Periodic Spring is a unique geological feature. It is a cold water geyser, which in low flow times of the year (such as late fall and winter) will flow, then cease to flow for 10-20 minutes, and then flow again.

How does this work? The theory is an underground lake is continuously being fed by springs. The lake has a passage out to the entrance of the Periodic Spring but is convoluted in such a way as to create a siphon. In high flow periods, the lake is overflowing strongly enough the spring runs continuously. In drier times, however, the flow stops while the lake fills enough to force water through the passage. This creates a siphon effect, and drains the lake to a level too low for the siphon to pull water, and the refill/purge/refill cycle begins again.

This fascinating oddity is only known to occur in a handful of other places in the world, with Periodic Spring being by far the largest of them. It provides a short, family friendly hike if you are in the area. Even if the spring is flowing continuously it is a lovely hike.

Information Sign - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

Information Sign - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

The Spring - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

The Spring - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

Getting There

From downtown Afton, go east on 2nd Ave. Follow this road for 5.1 miles to it's end. After about a mile it turns to dirt, with a campground on the right. From here on, it parallels Swift Creek. The dirt section is generally passable by any vehicle. En route you will pass Swanee Falls on the right, and Swift Creek Tower on the left. (The obvious tower a few hundred yards from the road.)

The road ends in a large parking area with a pit toilet. This is the trailhead.

The hike out - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

The hike out - Periodic Spring - Afton Wyoming

Route

From the parking area, follow the now gated road as it parallels the stream. It is a short walk (10-15 minutes) to a large concrete water processing area. Periodic Spring is the waterfall coming down the gully on the right, and visible from the concrete tank. Just up from the concrete tank a bridge crosses the stream, and there is a picnic table. Follow the trail as it goes up the edge of the gully to the spring proper.

It goes without saying but never try to enter the spring. Even if it is not flowing, it will start soon, and the potential for drowning is high!


Maps

Route / 1.66 miles / Elevation Range 6,873 - 7,390 ft.
Printable Maps:
Trailhead

12T 511504mE 4733007mN

N42° 44' 58" W110° 51' 34"
Bridge

12T 512380mE 4732683mN

N42° 44' 48" W110° 50' 55"
Spring

12T 512392mE 4732422mN

N42° 44' 39" W110° 50' 55"

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