Category: Hydrothermals

Ride~About: Snowcoach to Wonderland!

Posted on by Joy

Here we are, 7:30am at Mammoth Hot Springs to catch our snowcoach to Wonderland, driving to Old Faithful for a two-night stay. This winter started with warm temperatures, little snow, yet overcast skies with little sun. Then came February! Lots of snow, temperatures from -30 degrees to slightly above zero, and no sun. Unlikely we will see sun today, but you never know. We are heading to Old Faithful via the long route. From Mammoth to Canyon, along Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb, and over Craig’s Pass arriving at Old Faithful about 4pm.

Let’s go!

Gorgeous Canyon Views, Scary Winter Possibilities–What a Difference a Day Makes!

Posted on by Joy

Name one thing that is great about Yellowstone in October: Off-season lodge rates. Name one word of caution about Yellowstone in October: SNOW. Since I love staying at the new Canyon Lodges with steep discounts and the aspen and cottonwoods are in sparkling yellow now, I’ll take my chances. It is a gorgeous day to drive along the Gibbon River to Norris Junction then heading east to the Canyon area. The Gibbon River has thermal features along its banks and is one of only a few Yellowstone rivers flowing north to south, but that’s a story for another day. Today we are heading to Canyon’s Washburn Lodge, staying the last two nights before the Canyon area closes until next May. Tomorrow morning we will walk the northern end of North Rim Trail to explore waterfalls and canyon walls. This will be such fun.

So excited . . .

SNAP*Shot: Mammoth’s Palette Spring Season After Season

Posted on by Joy

Mammoth Terraces, including beautiful Palette Spring, is not the only reason to visit this area. Coming through Yellowstone’s North Entrance, we drive up almost 1,000 feet along five miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. This is the home of historic Fort Yellowstone, still the park’s administrative headquarters. The significant conservation policies developed here lead to establishing the National Park Service in 1916. From 1886 to 1918 the US Army administered the park, turning those duties over to the fledgling Park Service in 1918. Enjoy Yellowstone’s fascinating history by taking the virtual tour. Delight in the stories that gave us the world’s first National Park.

Today, though, we are driving by the Visitor’s Center, hotel, dining areas, gas station, and the only heated restroom along the Norther Tier road–you have no idea how welcomed that is in winter! Our destination is the massive rock mound call Mammoth Terraces. Palette Spring is the colorful introduction to Yellowstone’s unique hydrothermal area called Mammoth.

Wait a minute . . .

Reawakening on Mammoth’s Lower Terraces

Posted on by Joy

We have walked Mammoth’s Upper Terraces a few times, most recently about six weeks ago. The Upper Terraces is one of my favorite places. The rapid change of the hot springs and travertine formations they create, the peaceful nature of Upper Terraces Drive, and the views! However, I realized we have never walked the Lower Terraces. It is 6:30am and the sun has yet to rise above Mount Everts. Let’s enjoy the reawakening of Mound Spring in the cool of the morning and explore the ever-changing nature of Mammoth’s travertine terraces. It was only about four years ago that this spring came back to life reawakening beautiful Mound Terrace.

Mound Spring

Great views ahead . . .