Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Mammoth Junction to Norris Junction
In the 21 miles (34 km) between Mammoth and Norris Junctions there are no geysers to
watch, but you'll find several other types of thermal feature as well as mountains of volcanic
origin. Heading south on the Grand Loop Road, you'll pass Upper Terrace Drive's terraces,
Obsidian Cliff, Clearwater Springs, Roaring Mountain, and tiny, sizzling Frying Pan Spring.
Road Log
NOTE: See the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces map on
page 265
. Mammoth Village's facilities are de-
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Mammoth Hot Springs Junction. The road that passes the hotel, dining areas, general
store, and service station takes you to the terraces and then on to Norris Junction and Norris
Geyser Basin. The road that begins almost opposite the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel goes
east to Tower-Roosevelt Junction. Past the post office and administrative area is the road to
the North Entrance.
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Liberty Cap and Opal Terrace. (For walking tours of these and other lower
terraces, see
pages 263-67.
)
The big hill across the road from the main terraces is
Capitol Hill,
composed of glacially
transported gravel and once the center of authority in the park. In 1879, Superintendent Nor-
ris built his administration building (the “Blockhouse”) on top of the hill and fortified it
against possible Indian attack. It served as office and home for Norris and other civilian su-
perintendents until it was torn down in 1909.
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Jupiter Terrace. This general area was the site of Camp Sheridan, the U.S. Army's
first park headquarters, used from 1886 until 1897, by which time nearby Fort Yellowstone
had supplanted it.
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Terrace Springs Trails parking area is the least convenient of the four places to
park near the Lower Terraces and requires the most stair climbing.
In this area in the 1930s and '40s was a swimming pool that used hot-spring water. It was
removed by the Park Service about 1950.
