Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
active springs, fine views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains, and a number
of interesting formations.
Upper Terrace Drive*
There are two ways to access the first feature, Canary Spring, which has been quite active and
beautiful in recent years.
To use the wheelchair-accessible boardwalks, you may park outside the turnoff for this
drive or on the left immediately after entering the one-way road. Follow the gradually des-
cending boardwalk to its lower stretch.
Alternatively, drive to the first wide parking spot on the right and take the boardwalks
along the top of
Main Terrace.
On this second route, a boardwalk spur passes
Cupid Spring
with its gracefully draping formations. Cupid's deposits have sealed off a feature called Cupid's
Cave, named for the Roman god of love. In the early years of the park, tourists entered this
cave, oblivious to the dangers of the carbon dioxide found in all such features.
To the right of the steps descending toward Canary is
Grassy Spring,
active since at least
2006 and building terracettes. The next feature, to the right of the boardwalk, is relatively new
Dryad Springs,
named for fairies in Greek mythology who lived within and guarded trees.
Approaching
Canary Spring,
you can see pools ringed with white hanging stalactites.
When water pours from the spring to the scallop-edged terracettes below, microorganisms
growing in the water create beautiful colored effects. After several years of large volumes of
very hot water rapidly building terraces, Canary Spring began to slow in 2011.
No longer canary yellow, Canary Spring is creating a huge terrace (2012).
On Main Terrace,
Blue Spring
has been a prominent feature. Many steps lead to the ter-
races and road below, passing
New Blue Springs,
which was very hot and building terraces in
recent years but quiet and white in 2012. To the left of the road is the gray and deteriorating
mound of
Prospect Terrace.
