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Canadian pleads guilty to walking on sensitive spring at Yellowstone National Park

View of the 'Grand Prismatic' hot spring with it's unique colors caused by brown, orange and yellow algae-like bacteria called Thermophiles. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — One of four Canadian men accused of walking onto a sensitive hot spring at Yellowstone National Park has pleaded guilty to the charges.

The National Park Service says Hamish McNab Campbell Cross pleaded guilty Tuesday to foot travel in a thermal area and disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition. He agreed to pay more than $8,000 in fines and fees.

READ MORE: Canadian YouTubers face charges after walking on protected site at Yellowstone National Park

Three other men pleaded not guilty in the May 14 incident. Prosecutors say they left a boardwalk that visitors are required to stay on and stepped onto a geothermal feature.

The men were traveling together as part of a group called High on Life SundayFundayz. Photos on social media showed some of them taking selfies while on the hot spring.

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READ MORE: Guilty Canadian ordered to ‘not pick up any more bison,’ donate to Yellowstone

Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk says the judge’s decision sends a message about thermal feature protection and safety.

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