Just a quick note: I am only posting most of our highlights of Yellowstone National Park. We saw many more points of interest during our visit. The Obsidian Cliffs, Roaring Mountain, Virginia Cascades, Kepler Cascades, Fountain Flat Drive... I could go on but way too much to put into words and photos, it would take too long. This Park is huge with so much to see and enjoy.
The weather forecast for our third visit was for clear sunny skies and when we left our campsite, it was a clear day. However, as we ventured further northward towards the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone, the clouds gathered and it was mostly to partly cloudy all of the day. A few breaks in the clouds did help to brightened up the colors of the hot springs however. Our first stop this day are the Sheepeater Cliffs. This picnic area sits beneath a columnar basalt area. The lava deposited here created these unusual hexagonal columns. There were a lot of people here on this day, some even climbing the columns, so after my photo we moved on.
The weather forecast for our third visit was for clear sunny skies and when we left our campsite, it was a clear day. However, as we ventured further northward towards the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone, the clouds gathered and it was mostly to partly cloudy all of the day. A few breaks in the clouds did help to brightened up the colors of the hot springs however. Our first stop this day are the Sheepeater Cliffs. This picnic area sits beneath a columnar basalt area. The lava deposited here created these unusual hexagonal columns. There were a lot of people here on this day, some even climbing the columns, so after my photo we moved on.
I downloaded the GyPSy App for Yellowstone National Park on my cellphone. Playing it as we drove the Park really enhanced our visit. Using location marks embedded in the App, specialized information would play as we approached certain landmarks. From that App, we found out this is Bunsen Peak (8564 ft) named after Robert Bunsen, the same man who invented the Bunsen Burner.
Kingman Pass (7119 ft) also known as The Golden Gate
This scenic mountain pass was named for Dan Kingman, a Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was instrumental in planning and building the roads and bridges of YNP.
Beautiful landscape views stretched out before us once we descended the Kingman Pass.
Driving northward to Mammoth Hot Springs, we saw these unique terraced hot springs dripping their steamy hot waters. We took the Upper Terrace Drive, a one mile loop that traveled to views of the Main Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. From there we had views of Fort Yellowstone below and the Gardner River. This photo is from the top section of the Drive.
One of several boardwalks as it meandered between hot spring terraces.
Views of the YNP Visitor Center, the Yellowstone Fort and the valleys beyond.
These hot springs have dried up, leaving only the rock build-up.
Prospect Hot Springs maybe??
Really nice colors but the hot spring name, I do not remember.
Now this is the Minerva Terraces. They are one of the more primary features of Mammoth Hot Springs. Here, the hot water rises to the surface carrying dissolved calcium and bicarbonate then leaving these deposits in the unique layers. It's the thermophiles or microorganisms that give the colors.
Once the sun appeared, the water seemed to shimmer on the travertine.
Another close up of more textures and layers from the Minerva Terraces.
Many years ago, these colorful Terraces were once used as backdrops for Yellowstone portraits.
Each section of these formations displayed something unique and interesting.
And opposite of the Minerva Terraces, just the other side of the boardwalk, there was this stunning view.
And the unusual but dormant and possibly now extinct Liberty Cap. To read more about its history and how it received that name click HERE.
We made our obligatory stop at the Yellowstone National Park's Visitor Center (also known as the Albright Visitor Center and Museum).
Driving towards the northern entrance to view the famous Roosevelt Entrance Arch, we saw some elk grazing in front of the Mammoth Hot Springs.
Before we called it a day, one more stop out to the famous Roosevelt Entrance Arch. The drive from Mammoth Hot Springs towards Gardiner and the North Entrance was gorgeous.
Reaching the town of Gardiner, we finally saw a Yellowstone entrance sign without a crowd of people waiting for a photograph!
The Roosevelt Arch, located at the north entrance was constructed in 1903 under the supervision of the US Army at Fort Yellowstone. Its first cornerstone was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Reaching the town of Gardiner, we finally saw a Yellowstone entrance sign without a crowd of people waiting for a photograph!
The Roosevelt Arch, located at the north entrance was constructed in 1903 under the supervision of the US Army at Fort Yellowstone. Its first cornerstone was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Why of course we had to drive down to the park to get a photo of the elk resting almost under the famous entrance archway.
More to come later..
We visit the Grand Prismatic Spring.
We visit the Grand Prismatic Spring.
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