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The best way to experience the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces is to run up them!


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Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.1

KM

89%

Runnable

6,611' 2,015 m

High

6,277' 1,913 m

Low

382' 116 m

Up

49' 15 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Hot Spring · Views

Runner Notes

A popular trail with a good portion on boardwalks. May be crowded.

Description

The Mammoth Terraces Trail snakes more than 300 feet up the Mammoth Terraces to a wonderful overlook of the Main Terrace on Upper Terrace Drive. Along the way the trail passes many of the most beautiful and historic hot spring terraces in the park. Start the trail at any of 4 parking areas at the base of the terraces. From north to south, the areas are near: (1) the restroom; (2) Liberty Cap; (3) beneath Minerva Spring; and (4) beneath Jupiter Terrace.

From the restroom parking the trail travels south toward Liberty Cap, a 37-foot tall extent hot spring cone. Just past Liberty Cap the short Palette Springs Spur trail affords nice views of Palette Springs and the Devil’s Thumb.

The trail continues past the 2nd parking area along the road to the 3rd parking area, then turns right and begins climbing into the terraces. The terrace travertine formations are made of calcium carbonate. Beneath lies thick layers of sedimentary limestone, deposited millions of years ago by vast seas. The hot springs water contains dissolved carbon dioxide gases which form a weak carbonic acid. This hot, acidic solution dissolves great quantities of limestone as it works up through rock layers to the surface. Once exposed to the open air, some of the carbon dioxide escapes from solution. As this happens, limestone can no longer remain in solution and it is deposited in these beautiful travertine formations. These deposits can grow very fast - as much three feet a year!

As springs shift and formations grow, the boardwalks are often rerouted to protect the features. Look carefully, you can see the scars where boardwalks used to travel. Soon the trail passes a small connector trail down to the 4th parking area and then bends several times to the right. Above you on the left is Jupiter Terrace. In the 1980s, it flowed so heavily that it overtook boardwalks several times. It has been dry since 1992, but when active, its color and intricate terraces make Jupiter special. Past Jupiter, the Mammoth Terraces Trail Connector (on left) provides a more direct route to the top of the Main Terrace.

Our trail continues beneath now-dormant Minerva Spring (a short spur takes you closer) then loops back to the left and climbs above it. The last push to the top of the Main Terrace is a bit steep. But the views from the top are nice. The final leg of the trail continues along the Upper Terrace Drive, past a spur trail overlooking Canary Spring, and ends at a parking area on the main road.

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Carter

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 35 votes

#218

Overall
  4.0 from 35 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#13

in Wyoming

#218

Overall
10 Views Last Month
2,472 Since Sep 9, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

31%
21%
48%
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Photos

Mammoth Hot Springs
Jan 22, 2016 near Mammoth…, WY
Lower Terraces.
Apr 18, 2016 near Mammoth…, WY
Mammoth Hot Springs.
Sep 9, 2015 near Mammoth…, WY
Mammoth Hot Spring.
Sep 19, 2016 near Mammoth…, WY
A killdeer forages on Mammoth Hot Springs
Oct 28, 2017 near Mammoth…, WY
North end of Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Oct 28, 2017 near Mammoth…, WY

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Sep 9, 2020
Charly Jackson
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