Mammoth Hot Springs to Montana

Yellowstone National Park

Monday 10 June 2019

The site wasn't level, even with using all our giant lego style blocks under the rear wheels, so we made up the bed backwards with our heads towards the front of the van and it worked just fine. If we can't be level, we both prefer to sleep with our heads higher than our feet. Slope was a minor inconvenience and we would definitely return here.We checked out of Norris Campground just after eight and there was already a line of people hoping to get a campsite.


No bears woke us overnight, despite the warning signs. 

We stopped and finished our morning coffees overlooking Nymph Lake. 

The active thermal features were just a warm-up for what we would find later in the morning.

Next stop was Roaring Mountain where microbes are turning steam into sulphuric acid and dissolving the rock.

Sheepeater Cliff 

From the on-site sign:

"This cliff was named for the Shoshone Indians who lived throughout this mountainous region. Their use of bighorn sheep earned them the name Tukadika or Sheepeaters. The cliff is basalt lava that formed "Columnar Joints" when it cooled nearly 500,000 years ago."

One of at least two Golden Marmots, that were popping in and out of  the basalt boulders while we watched.

Approaching from the southeast, we parked with other campers at Mammoth Hot Springs to see the geological and thermal features before reaching the actual town.

With the air still a little chilly, Beth was prepared for any weather.

Several miles of boardwalks and stairs provide access to the active rock terraces. We'll share the information from one of the park signs.

1

"Scattered across this unusual landscape are hot springs–hot springs that are reshaping the mountain."

"Water, heated deep underground, rises to the surface. As it rises, the water percolates through buried limestone, dissolving calcium carbonate."

"Above ground, the hot water deposits the calcium carbonate, building travertine terraces."

"If you were here in the past your may notice many changes. The terrain you see today will likely look different in the future. In this rapidly changing landscape, you can glimpse a moment in time."

Tiny walls formed from crystallized salts looked like three dimensional maps.

Songbirds bathed in the warm spring waters.

Reaching the edge of the terraces, the town was shrouded in mist.

A few minutes and a little different viewpoint made a big difference. The town of Mammoth Springs is clearly visible nestled in the valley just three-hundred feet down the hillside.

Rolling into the busy town we found a parking spot on the main street, right in front of the post office.

We mailed some birthday greetings and a small package. I loved the bear statues flanking the entrance. 

The town is centered around Fort Yellowstone, an army base built to house troops charged with protecting the National Park when it was a new concept. The base is beautifully preserved and open to the public. It is now used for rangers, volunteers, and support staff for Yellowstone. 

In 1909, this stone building was built as the residence for the post commander. Today it is the residence for the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park.

In 1891 Red-roofed wooden duplexes like this one in the foreground housed officers with families. The long building in the background housed 60 cavalry men.

This 1913 Chapel was the last building built during the time the army was in residence.

Formerly the quarters for unmarried officers, the Albright Visitor Center hosts interesting exhibits, a bookstore, and helpful rangers. 

One of many photos in the Visitor Center, this one shows the challenge of exploring the park by road in the 1920's.

The original rules and regulations of the park. You might need to click on the photo to enlarge it.

Reservations in Alberta later this week meant it was time to leave Yellowstone. Our three days here were memorable and just whetted our appetite for all this park offers. We hope to return soon.

Shortly after lunch we headed north towards Montana. Always on the lookout for good bakeries, Buffy our dashboard Bison, lead us to the Wildflower Bakery and Cafe in Emigrant, Montana.

It looks like an interesting cafe. Unfortunately, they were closed on Mondays, so our sweet tooths would have to wait for some other stop.

By 3:30 we were in Three Forks Montana where we decided to stop for the night and this old bay window caboose hosted a visitor's center. The staff there recommended a local private campground in case the State Park was full.

On the way to Headwaters State Park, we noticed this large bakery operation. We thought it might be a good place to check out once we secure a spot for the night. 

The state park campground wasn't very interesting and didn't have a shower house, so we elected to go check-our the private campground.

With a split rail fence framing this view, the Three Forks RV Park looked inviting. The receptionist was pleasant and they had hot showers, so we decided to stay.

Our large pull-through gravel spot was only $28+tax for the night. 

Judging from the address on KOA Road, Camp Three Forks was once a KOA.

Since it was just down the road, we drove to Wheat Montana and bought dinner to bring back to the campsite. They have a huge selection of reasonably priced baked goods. An empty rack labeled "day old cinnamon buns" had us thinking we might want to return in the morning.

The sandwiches were delicious and I fell asleep dreaming of hot cinnamon buns...

A map of today's travels from Wyoming to Montana