Rhyolite within the caldera has been hydrothermally altered along a fault which parallels the caldera rim. Hydrothermal fluids exploited the fault, and severely altered and thus weakened the rock, leaving it susceptible to rapid erosion by the Yellowstone river. The falls occur at the boundary between unaltered and altered rock. The Tetons dominate the western horizon while students discuss the Gros Ventre Slide near Jackson Wyoming. We always time camp so that our fourth of July day off occurs here.
Students can spend the day on Jackson Lake, hiking in the mountains, or relaxing in town.
The evening fireworks in Jackson top off the day for most of us.