Mammoth Springs

From the wondrous Yellowstone Canyon we continued on the Grand Loop Road to Mammoth Springs via Tower Roosevelt. This road is unpassable during the winter months and no wonder, as it twists and turns and has steep shingly sides in many places. Most people seem to have gigantic trailers pulled by vehicles resembling army trucks or bus like vehicles behind which they pull large cars used for sightseeing and in icy conditions these would be difficult to keep on the road. We had several mirthful comments about our mini trailer and the small vehicle towing it, however there were at least three such vehicles in the camping ground. For us, small was great.

Grand Loop Road between Canyon Village and Tower Roosevelt

Absaroka Mountains behind Dunraven Pass

Dunraven Pass, Yellowstone

At the top of Dunraven Pass - 8,859 feet - the mountain tops appear to be almost on a level with the road. Fire has been through this area just a few years ago and the new growth's sharp green contrasts with the black and rust of the dead trees. Just a few miles down the road  and we were on the lower slopes where fields of wildflowers were a delight to see. Unfortunately these pictures must remain in my head as the car was moving too fast to capture any images. The daisy like flower below was snapped in the Dunraven Pass.

Another delight was waiting for us as we rounded a bend and saw cars and two buses lining the road ahead.

It must be . . .  a BEAR!

Following the mile long camera lenses of the crowd, we saw it!    Wonderful!

Black Bear, Yellowstone

People were out of their cars and  buses and there were two rangers there as well so I was out of our car like a shot, feeling that there was a considerable distance between the bear tree and the road. Nevertheless I decided that if it did come out of the tree and decide to object to being admired, my escape route would be the open door of the bus a few metres from my vantage point!

Black Bear, Yellowstone

 After a nimble descent from the tree, the bear ambled off to some other trees further away from the annoying crowds. I then realised just how big was the small cute black bear UP the tree really was.
Excitement over, we continued on our way to Mammoth Springs very happy to have seen such a magnificent animal in the wild.

Mammoth Springs seen from the Upper Terrace

Mammoth Hot Springs is near the North Entrance of the Park and this is where the famous limestone terraces are found. Again, the bright yellow - red colours are caused by micro oganisms that live in the water. When the springs are not flowing much these diminish, resulting in much more bright, white terraces. And bright it was - I was soon fishing around for my sunglasses. Another interesting observation was that the colours look brighter from a different position. Maybe the angle of the sunlight . . ?

Terraces, Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone

The orange strip is where water recently flowed. I loved the contrast of the burnt trees standing in a river of white.
Once again I was last to be ready to leave! I had to pull myself away from the unique beauty of the place and join my family. There was plenty more to see and do . . . .