Sunday, September 10, 2017

Hot on the Terrace



Yellowstone National Park is full of the most interesting and fascinating natural features, one of them being Mammoth Hot Springs in the Northwest corner of the park. Well, it's not just hot springs - it's terraces composed of travertine (calcium carbonate). I have just one word to describe them: spectacular.



Some areas look like snow or ice, frozen waterfalls. But no, there isn't anything that feels cold or only cool here. It's darn hot, baby!


Wyoming, especially so far north as Yellowstone, isn't known for hot weather, but here on the terraces shorts and t-shirts are the appropriate attire. Man, it was hot! No shade around here, of course.


The ground displayed bizarre formations.


Some of the terraces reached almost the backyards of the houses in the tiny village of Mammoth - almost.



The elk seem to love this area. They come here, lick the ground (probably mineral rich) and even lie down and take a nap. They weren't bothered by the heat at all. Perhaps they thought it's their personal outdoor sweat lodge.



Even though the main color here is white followed by orange, I could make out my favorite color combination of orange and turquoise in some places. Not quite as intense and vivid as the Grand Prismatic Spring but still quite fabulous.


And of course at the same time you can take in the stunning surroundings.


Due to the nature of this place there were a lot of dead trees.




Ever changing ground formations and bubbles on the water that tell about the heat of the hot springs (the hot water that feeds Mammoth, by the way, comes from the Norris Geyser Basin).




You can walk the terraces on boardwalks, and the Lower Terraces Area has the most spectacular views. This part is by far my favorite one.




Doesn't it look like ice and snow?



But it's the dead trees that fascinated me the most.


Yes, we sure needed a little break to take all this in. This is only a rather small part of Yellowstone, but full of awesomeness. You need to take your time to let it sink in.




14 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

How very, very beautiful. It instantly reminded me of photos my partner took at Pamukhale in Turkey. Very similiar formations, very similar beauty. No elk though.
Thank you so much.

baili said...

outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never saw this park displayed as magnificently as through your blog my friend!

your each photo speaks noticeably for you REMARKABLE talent of photography!
i really enjoyed this stunning virtual tour to yellowstone park dear

My name is Erika. said...

Wow. Your photos are spectacular. Yellowstone has some pretty spectacular geology.

Darla said...

Wonderful photo's. Some of the scenery looks like abstract paintings. Enjoyed the views.

Anonymous said...

What amazing scenery, just spectacular. Most amazing of all is the thought that something that looks so much like ice is created by hot springs!

Debby Ray said...

I have never been out west to experience anything like this. Your photos are absolutely stunning. Maybe I will get there one day!

Red Rose Alley said...

Yes, it does look like ice and snow! I can't believe how hot it really was when you visited. I've always wanted to see Yellowstone National Park. It looks incredible, Carola. What a cool Elk picture. The "bubbles" picture is awesome. So glad you got to experience this wonderful place. It's definitely on my list of places to see.

~Sheri

krishna said...

So incredible..

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hello Carola,
spectacular photos of this fabulous area. Stunning views and pics.
Best regards, Synöve

Thunder Rose said...

Awesome pictures!

Jeanie said...

These are stunning. They look like frozen waterfalls. I've never been there but certainly this is something I'd love to see in person.

Magic Love Crow said...

Wow!! Wow!! Truly fascinating!! Wow!! I don't know what to say! Thank you for sharing such amazing pictures! Big Hugs!

Sarah Huizenga said...

It sure does look like ice and snow. Reminds me of Lake Superior in Michigan's upper peninsula.

Suburban Girl said...

This looks like it is from another planet!