We began our visit at the Lower Terraces, where elk lounged once again on the pale, mineral-coated steps—just as they had a few days earlier.
This area also marks the beginning of the boardwalk that winds its way up and around Minerva Terrace clinging to the hill above.
While Minerva Terrace itself felt somewhat underwhelming, the sweeping views overlooking Fort Yellowstone and the winding Gardiner River Valley, as it flows into the park from Montana to the north.
Near the trail’s end, you’ll find a vantage point overlooking Palette Springs—the thermal source responsible for feeding the brilliant white formations of the Lower Terraces.
After returning to the car, we made our way up the hill to the Upper Terrace Loop,that lets you view various geothermal features from the comfort of your vehicle. While many of the formations are relatively modest, one particularly striking highlight is Orange Spring Mound, which shimmered in the sunlight with vibrant, mineral-rich hues.
Angel Terrace stands out as another prominent feature of the Upper Terrace area. Its brilliant white mineral deposits are so strikingly bright, they could easily be mistaken for fresh snowfall.
