Early morning geyser steam
We left a bit earlier this morning than we have been, to drive north all the way to Mammoth Hot Springs. Because it was earlier, it was also colder. Steam was thick as we drove through the upper geyser basin near Old Faithful, and the grasses had a light coating of frost. It was a very beautiful picture this morning.
We arrived at the upper terraces drive at the hot springs just about 10 am. It was a bright sunny morning as we walked and drove around the many pools and brilliant white deposits of travertine. Many of the deposits were as bright as snow, and looked much like a snowy winter morning. The springs are actively depositing new travertine. In many places the rock has completely surrounded and killed the trees, leaving old greying snags sticking out of the brilliant white rock.
Palette Spring
At other springs the white deposits are stained by minerals and the bacteria which grow in the water into many shades of yellow and brown. The colors were the most varied at the Palette Spring, including not just yellows and tans, but pink and blue as well.
After lunch we walked around the lower terraces, and nearly climbed as high as we had started this morning on the upper terraces. There were many beautiful springs where new deposits are being formed, and some older ones where the water is no longer flowing. It was one of the most spectacular things we have seen on this trip.
We returned by driving across the road to Tower-Roosevelt. This is a very different part of the park, much more open with vast views across grassy plains with scattered trees. The road climbs to a summit over 8800 feet high, and you can see for miles in all directions out over the forest, much of it burned in 1988, on one side, and the more open prairie towards the Yellowstone River on the other.