Yellowstone National Park can literally take weeks to explore with all of the brilliant natural wonders visitors can see. If pressed for time, visitors may want to at least check out Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is located near the north entrance near the park headquarters.
It took nature several years to create Mammoth Hot Springs. First the right ingredients were needed, which are heat, water, limestone, and rock. The formation allows water from underground to reach towards the earth's surface. About 600,000 years ago a volcanic explosion occurred in the area of Mammoth Hot Springs. This explosion allowed magma to run through a chamber towards the earth's surface, pushing out the rock formations visitors will see.
The hot water that still flows from the earth's crust has added additional terraces to the original rock formation. Some of the water is part of the rain and snow runoff that occurs during the year. When the cooler water reaches the heat it will raise the water temperature to the steaming water that is seen on the surface.
The water being discussed here will come from several small fissures under the ground. One larger fault runs from the south at Norris Geyser Basin to the north. Norris Basin is 21 miles from Mammoth Hot Springs. However, it is this water that has helped create more than 50 natural springs in the Mammoth Hot Springs area.
Park rangers have created groomed trails that are well marked for visitors. Anyone wishing to see the hot springs can park at designated trail heads and begin their walk. The trails will get visitors close to the formations, without endangering any lives. It is best to stay on the trails, and the park insists upon it. There are thin layers of crust off the trails that can crack and be extremely dangerous.
On the trail leading to the Mammoth Hot Springs visitors will encounter Opal Terrace. Opal Terrace is near Capitol Hill and across the road from Liberty Cap. The spring began in 1926 with one foot of travertine per year. Before this time and until 1947 a tennis court stood near the spot. However, due to terrace expansion it was necessary to remove the tennis court. A house also stood near this spot having been built in 1908.
Liberty Cap is a hot spring cone. This is a strange formation next to the terraces. It was named by Hayden Survey Party in 1871. Water helped form the limestone cone as it pushed out of the earth. Palette Spring is another interesting point on the trail around Mammoth Hot Springs. It has a hillside of numerous colors including brown, green and orange. Bacteria affected by heat grow on the hillside structure, so that it appears like a wet paint canvas. There are Lower and Upper Terraces. Other stops along the way include Minerva, Cleopatra, Jupiter, Main, Canary Spring, Overlook, Prospect, New Highland, Orange Spring Mound, Bath Lake, White Elephant Back, and Angel Terrace.
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