Mammoth Hot Springs

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Mammoth Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs

The terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are a sight to behold – living sculptures shaped by a large volume of water flowing across sloping land, and coloured by thermophiles (heat loving microorganisms). A series of board walks takes you round the lower terraces and a short drive loops round the upper terraces. Here are far too many pictures. I just don’t know how to choose.

Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs Mammoth Springs

But that’s not all! Mammoth used to be Fort Yellowstone. In the early years of the National Park (established 1872) the Springs were threatened by poachers and souvenir hunters. In 1886, the army moved in and stayed for 32 years: many of the buildings erected then are now used as park headquarters. Cute squirrels too!

Fort Yellowstone
Fort Yellowstone
Fort Yellowstone Church
Fort Yellowstone squirrel
Fort Yellowstone PO

On the way to Mammoth, we admired Tower Fall and the Narrows – the far end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which I wrote about in an earlier post.

Tower Fall
The Narrows

Finally, we came across more wildlife on, or by, the road.

Bison
Deer
Bighorn sheep

Yellowstone just gets better and better! In my next post, we head for Elephant Back and West Thumb.

USA, Wyoming , ,

62 Comments »

  5. The world is full of incredible places, Anabel, and you seem to have seen your share 🙂 Love the shot of the bare twigs and the ‘teeth’ bizarre squiggles! So good with words, aren’t I? 🙂 🙂

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  6. I love Mammoth! Did you know there’s a place near Mammoth where you can take a dip and enjoy some of the hot springs? It’s sort of hidden (and requires a walk), but if you ever get back, it’s sort of a hidden treat of Yellowstone.

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  12. Hi Anabel – I hadn’t realised there was so much crusted lava around (probably not the right words .. but?!) – wonderful photos … and letting us know about the Park buildings now …

    No wonder you will have so many photos to choose from … incredible … love the bison – not something to tangle with … and the Falls, and the Narrows .. lovely – thanks – Hilary

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  13. I find hot spring landscapes incredible . . so much destruction and yet beautiful and if you look carefully in the ponds you can see life. Loving your memories and photographs of your trip, wish I had found a way to have sneaked into your suitcase!

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  14. 😍😍😍 I can see why you had trouble choosing a picture of Mammoth Hot Sorings. Just glorious. I would hang the 5th and 6th on my wall. And oh that magnificent wildlife. I’ve never been to Yellow Stone but it’s in the list.

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  25. Pictures are superb. One has what looks like a giant maggot with a beady eye! Only ever seen one black squirrel, which was sitting on the low wall outside the large Library in Chicago.

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