Compared to the last two days, this drive was just a hop, skip and a jump. It seemed as if we had hardly gotten started when we arrived, well almost arrived! Before making our way into Yellowstone National Park we had one stop to make and it was one that we had really been looking forward to for days.
At the south end of beautiful Paradise Valley, near Gardiner, is Yellowstone Hot Springs. The hot springs are nestled between two mountain ranges and along the bank of the Yellowstone River. We've never been ones to pass up a good hot springs soaking and we certainly weren't going to pass this one up.
The springs consists of three pools. One heated to 105 degrees, a larger pool that was around 98-100 degrees and a cold plunge pool chilled to 65 degrees. We enjoyed soaking in the warm water while taking in the incredible surrounding scenery. As for that cold plunge pool, we didn't see a million dollar bill laying on bottom so neither of us saw any reason to get in it. After about two and a half hours of soaking, our skin was pretty wrinkled and any tightness from the two long days of driving was gone. It was time for lunch and then to make our way into the park.
Just inside the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is Mammoth Hot Springs. The headquarters for the 3,468 square mile park are located in this area, along with the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, which is the parks oldest hotel. The hotel was originally open for business in 1833. Over the years there have been demolitions and renovations. The hotel as it stands today opened in 1936, although it retains a wing of rooms built in 1911. The hotel would be our home for our first night of the three day stay in the park.
This is our third visit to our nations first national park (it is also believed to be the worlds oldest national park). Our first visit was on our honeymoon way back in July, 1982. We were also here about ten years ago. Beth had one additional visit on an "old lady" trip with her sisters and mom. Neither one of us had seen much of the Mammoth Hot Springs area on any of our past visits.
Our first stop was at the Albright Visitors Center where we received some very helpful information on how to maximize our three days. As usual, Beth had put together an excellent plan that was enhanced by the rangers suggestions.
What makes Yellowstone National Park so unique on the surface is actually due to what has taken place underground for millions of years. The park sits atop, not just any volcano, but what is classified as a supervolcano. It is believed that this volcano has erupted three times, the last eruption occurring around 631,000 years ago. So, while I guess we're at some risk of an eruption occurring while we're here, an angry buffalo, elk or bear pose more of a threat.
The supervolcano created cracks below the surface in mineral rich rocks that have lead to the formation of the worlds largest collection of hydrothermal features such as hot springs, geysers, travertine terraces, fumaroles and mudpots. In addition to the hydrothermal features the park is home to 5,000 buffalo that are divided into two distinct populations, elk, bear, wolves, white tailed deer and mountain goats, just to name a few of the 67 types of mammals that call Yellowstone home.
We started our afternoon in the Mammoth Hot Springs area where a two mile boardwalk meanders through numerous Travertine Terraces. These terraces are a result of interactions of hot water with limestone as it rises to the surface. These create the colored terraces that are constantly changing. In addition to the boardwalk through the lower terraces, which allows you to get up close to the formations, there is a loop drive through the upper terraces that provides a great overlook view of the Mammoth Hot Springs area.
In spite of not spotting any bear in Hayden Valley the drive was fantastic. We arrived back at the Mammoth Springs Hotel as the sun was setting. A short (relatively speaking) morning drive, a long soak in the hot springs pools, walking through travertine terraces and a scenic afternoon drive, makes the two long days drives well worth it.
