Yellowstone National Park - Mammoth Hot Springs
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Horace M. Albright Visitor Center
The visitor center at Mammoth Hot Springs is located in one of the historic former barracks of old Fort Yellowstone. The structure was constructed in 1909 and housed bachelor cavalry officers who patrolled the park...
Liberty Cap (A Hot Spring Cone)
"The 37-foot Liberty Cap was created by a hot spring that was active in one location for a long time. Its internal pressure was sufficient to raise the water to a great height, allowing mineral deposits to build slowly and continuously for perhaps hundreds of years." -- NPS Trail Guide
"Water flows in crisscrossing patterns down a steep ridge where colorful thermophiles create a changing palette dominated by hues of orange and brown. This effect is much the same as an artist would achieve by allowing watercolors to run down a vertical surface." -- NPS Trail Guide
"Water flows in crisscrossing patterns down a steep ridge where colorful thermophiles create a changing palette dominated by hues of orange and brown. This effect is much the same as an artist would achieve by allowing watercolors to run down a vertical surface." -- NPS Trail Guide
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
Looking up towards the Main Terrace from the boardwalk along the Lower Terrace near Palette Spring...
Looking back towards Mammoth Hot Springs as we climb from the Lower to the Middle Terrace...
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide