Graceful Tower Falls
Leaving Grand Canyon, which you do reluctantly, your route is north to Mammoth Hot Springs. Along the way many interesting sights are seen. About midway between Canyon and Mammoth you see Tower Falls, one of the most graceful waterfalls in the world. Plunging 132 feet into a cavernous basin, rimmed with stately evergreens, the Fall gets its name from the tower-like spires of rock that guard the river’s approach to the precipice.
Mammoth Hot Springs Area
From Tower Falls travelers follow the road to Mammoth Hot Springs, site of the Park administration buildings.
Along the sides of the hill, from which the natural springs well, are a group of steps or terraces over which flow the steaming waters of hot springs, laden with minerals. Each descending step has been tinted by the algae (plant life), living in the hot water, in a thousand tones. So vivid are these colors that they appear to vibrate and glow in the sunlight. Some of the older springs have now dried up, but about twenty are still active.
More Geysers—Norris Basin
Upon leaving Mammoth Hot Springs, on the way back to West Yellowstone, you come upon Norris Geyser Basin. Its geysers spout at frequent intervals and its steam vents noisily erupt great volumes of vapor. Constant, Minute Man and Whirligig are some of the geysers. Emerald, Opal, Iris and Congress are a few of the pools.
Jewel-like Emerald Pool
Enchanting Gibbon Falls will add another lingering memory of your trip through Norris Geyser Basin.