Yellowstone National Park – Mammoth Hot Springs
May 19th, 2009 by Dan Bodenstein
Upper Terrace
The drive up to Mammoth Hot Springs from Gardiner is a winding path of mountainous curves and climbs. The scenery varies from rocky cliffs to lush green grasses. Dead standing trees are a reminder of how brutal a forest fire can be to an eco-system. But from death comes life, in the form of new saplings sprouting from the ground all around you.
You never really know how big a bison is, until its right next to you. Bison and elk often use the roads of Yellowstone as there own personal migration paths. It is a rule of the park NEVER to block the path of an animal. If the animals are in the roadway, they have the right of way. In the summer months, this can cause road backups for as much as 7 miles as the bison make their way to higher elevations.
Bison
Bison are everywhere, as are the elk. The can often be seen grazing, or simply resting in areas around the park. There are many park rules, some which I think they need to post more frequently. I was approached by a park ranger and informed I was too close to the elk, something I didn’t realize looking through a zoom lens. Rangers can actually fine you, and there is a courthouse, or judicial center, right in the park. You need to stay at least 25 yards from any animal, except bears and wolves, for them it’s 100 yards. Of course this is for your own safety, and the rules should be obeyed at all times. Elk and bison can often seen walking thought the town area of Mammoth. Along the parking areas of their visitors center, and along the roads to the Upper Terrace, these majestic animals know that “we” are the visitors on their home turf.
You can’t help but wonder what is going through the mind of a bison as it stares at you with its big brown eyes. It’s early May, and many of the female bison have started giving birth. Bison calves can be seen in several of the herds throughout the park. Their orange coats are easily spotted against the bark brown coats of their parents.
Canary Springs
The Upper and Lower Terraces consist of a series of walkways traversing through the hot spring areas. Some of the Upper Terrace spring are dried up, but their calcium carbonate deposits from incredible formations that only nature can take credit for. This calcium carbonate is also what kills trees standing within the springs. The hot steam emerging from the springs contains sulfur, which smells like rotten eggs. But the momentary stench pales in comparison to the beauty of the springs.
You are cautioned to stay on the paths. The area around the paths can be only inches thick hiding a flow of hot water under it. Stepping of the path can lead to severe burns from not only water in upwards of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but steam burns from the emanating eruption. Follow the rules.
Some of the areas are steep climbs, and have many levels of stairs. There are benches for those who need to take a rest, but don’t let the height or journey prevent you from making the trek. The prize for your efforts is a view you will never forget.
Evidence of volcanic activity is not only present in the steam, or boiling water of the springs. In many areas, my wife and I were able to “feel” vibrations below us. At first we thought it was just our own muscles from the climb. But when we found an area where there was no vibration, yet only 4 feet away there were vibrations, we realized we were standing on a sleeping giant. We tested our theory in many areas and agreed that we were not imagining it. You can feel the activity of the boiling water below the surface, through the ground.
Yellowstone is alive.
Comments
Looks amazing. If you’re up in Canada you should check out the Tofino Hot Springs. Here’s a short video on the area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67V-ve3o5FM
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