Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
We thought we had a pretty good idea what to expect. But when we rounded a curve and caught our first glimpse of the formations of Mammoth Hot Springs, our first thoughts were “is that snow???”
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
The first impression of Mammoth Hot Springs is that it can’t be real. It is so different from anything we’ve ever seen that it just doesn’t register. And when one gets closer it looks even stranger, as the patterns, colors and textures of the various deposits defy the logic of our memories.
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
After spending a little time studying the springs, it becomes a little more clear what is happening and why. Eventually it begins to make a little sense, although looking at these photos a month later I still have a hard time comprehending what I saw. It was quite an experience and one I’ll remember for a long time.
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkDryad Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkDryad Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkGrassy Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkView of the Mammoth Hotel and visitor complex from the Main Terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
Hi Don. Two of our guides (we did several photography tours on the Yellow Buses) are also snow coach drivers in the winter. They insisted that it is worth the effort and putting up with the cold. I don’t know…I get cold here in Charlotte in February, I can’t imagine the minus zeros!
Joe
Love those scraggly trees against the colorful geology.
Tom Dills
It’s hard to believe that trees could have grown there in the first place. But they do add to that otherworldly look.
oneowner
Spectacular country (and photos). I don’t use that word lightly, either.
Tom Dills
Definitely. Thanks for allocating one use of that word for me! 😉
Donald Brown
This past February (2023) i spent 2 weeks there, satisfying my bucket list to see Yellowstone in winter. Double Spectacular and boggles the mind.
Tom Dills
Hi Don. Two of our guides (we did several photography tours on the Yellow Buses) are also snow coach drivers in the winter. They insisted that it is worth the effort and putting up with the cold. I don’t know…I get cold here in Charlotte in February, I can’t imagine the minus zeros!
Monte Stevens
I’d forgotten how beautiful they are. I didn’t see them last time I was there. Now, I wish I had and not just for a photo.
Tom Dills
It was a surprisingly photogenic place. And not terribly crowded, although we were careful to time our visits.