There are two thermal areas in the northernmost area of the park. They are the Mammoth hot springs
and the Norris Geyser Basin. Steamboat geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, is located in Norris.
There's a picture of Steamboat on the first page.
and the Norris Geyser Basin. Steamboat geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, is located in Norris.
There's a picture of Steamboat on the first page.
(NPS Photo)
And again, another example of Yellowstone's habit of changing. The photo above is of the Minerva
Terrace in Mammoth. During my first visit, I recalled that it was probably the prettiest thing I had ever
seen. It was so colorful. Upon my return, I found that it had gone inactive. Now, Minerva Terrace is
dry, and white and gray in color. Disappointing. But that's how Yellowstone works...
Terrace in Mammoth. During my first visit, I recalled that it was probably the prettiest thing I had ever
seen. It was so colorful. Upon my return, I found that it had gone inactive. Now, Minerva Terrace is
dry, and white and gray in color. Disappointing. But that's how Yellowstone works...
Currently, the most active part of
Mammoth is the Canary Spring Terrace
(photo at left), so named for its yellow
color. It's just a short hike from Minerva
and is worth seeing if you've got the time.
I'm still bummed out about Minerva
though.
Among my missing set of photos is a
picture of the Boiling River, which is fed by
thermal channels running off of the
Mammoth terraces. This is one of the only
legal swimming holes in the park, and can
get quite crowded on a hot day. With
runoff from the hotsprings, it makes part of
the Gardiner River
Mammoth is the Canary Spring Terrace
(photo at left), so named for its yellow
color. It's just a short hike from Minerva
and is worth seeing if you've got the time.
I'm still bummed out about Minerva
though.
Among my missing set of photos is a
picture of the Boiling River, which is fed by
thermal channels running off of the
Mammoth terraces. This is one of the only
legal swimming holes in the park, and can
get quite crowded on a hot day. With
runoff from the hotsprings, it makes part of
the Gardiner River
warm enough for swimming. I say "warm enough", but the whole experience was very odd. Once I sat
down in the river, the water temperature would alternate between near-freezing and then extremely hot.
I prefer swimming at the Glenwood hot spring, to tell you the truth.
Oh... and just a word of warning... there are signs all over the boiling river area that warn you not to
step in the "thermal channels". These channels are not clearly marked, and I stepped in one by mistake,
just where it connected to the river. Walking was extremely painful for the next week. So, watch your
step.
down in the river, the water temperature would alternate between near-freezing and then extremely hot.
I prefer swimming at the Glenwood hot spring, to tell you the truth.
Oh... and just a word of warning... there are signs all over the boiling river area that warn you not to
step in the "thermal channels". These channels are not clearly marked, and I stepped in one by mistake,
just where it connected to the river. Walking was extremely painful for the next week. So, watch your
step.
To the left is the Porcelain Basin, part of the Norris
Geyser Basin. Quite clearly, this basin was named
after the milky white-blue coloration of the hot springs
here. This is the home of Whale's Mouth.
Norris consists of three different basins (one is
back-country and cannot be accessed by the public).
The Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin are the two
with designated trails. My favorite geyser in the park is
in the Back Basin, known as Echinus Geyser... another
example of change. It was once the most predictable
geyser in the park.
Geyser Basin. Quite clearly, this basin was named
after the milky white-blue coloration of the hot springs
here. This is the home of Whale's Mouth.
Norris consists of three different basins (one is
back-country and cannot be accessed by the public).
The Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin are the two
with designated trails. My favorite geyser in the park is
in the Back Basin, known as Echinus Geyser... another
example of change. It was once the most predictable
geyser in the park.
Echinus is a rare acid geyser, by the way.
Most features in Norris are acidic. And from
personal observation, the features of Norris
seem more prone to violent change, too. Norris
is the hottest spot in the park, and home to
several geysers that have "exploded."
Now, in 1995, I remember Echinus as a fairly
small bluish pool. In 1999-2000, it exploded
violently. When I saw it again in 2001, its pool
was fairly large and there were boulders from the
explosion strewn about.
Most features in Norris are acidic. And from
personal observation, the features of Norris
seem more prone to violent change, too. Norris
is the hottest spot in the park, and home to
several geysers that have "exploded."
Now, in 1995, I remember Echinus as a fairly
small bluish pool. In 1999-2000, it exploded
violently. When I saw it again in 2001, its pool
was fairly large and there were boulders from the
explosion strewn about.
All photos by T.A. Roe unless noted as NPS
photos.
photos.