Book Excerpt : From Norris Junction to Madison Junction

This short section (13.3 mi/21.4 km) of the Grand Loop Road follows the Gibbon River through its meadows and canyon. There's a good chance of seeing elk and buffalo on the way. Three thermal features to stop for are the Artists' Paintpots, Beryl Spring, and Terrace Spring near Madison.

0.0/13.3 Norris Junction. Madison Junction is to the southwest, Canyon Junction to the east, Norris Geyser Basin to the west, and Mammoth Hot Springs Junction to the north.

1.5/11.8 Northeast end of Elk Park. Mt. Holmes dominates the northwestern horizon. Besides elk, watch for ducks, geese, and great blue herons on the meandering river.

2.5/10.8 Gibbon River Rapids at the southwest end of Elk Park. Stop in the wide parking area to walk to the rapids. There's good fishing in this part of the Gibbon River and even better fishing between the Gibbon Falls (at mile 8.6/4.7) and Madison Junction.

2.8/10.5 Wide spot in the road for parking to see the Chocolate Pots. There's an active cone or "pot" down below the road (very hard to see) and a large one across the river.

A large amount of ferric oxide (an iron compound) in the deposits causes the unusual bright orange-brown color that you see on the sides of these geyserite cones and on the river bottom. Some microorganisms apparently metabolize the iron. Bright orange and green bacteria and algae grow in the water that trickles down the sides of the cones.

This Chocolate Pot on the Gibbon River's bank nurtures unusual microorganisms.

3.3/10.0 (9) Near the north end of Gibbon Meadows is a picnic area west of the road. The terrain is very flat here, and the Gibbon River twists and turns through numerous meanders before entering its canyon just to the south.

   Parking areas on the west side of the road are popular places for seeing elk.

3.9/9.4 Side road to parking for Artists' Paintpots. The area is wheelchair accessible only as far as the colorful features at the base of the hill. The gray and noisy paintpots are up a short but somewhat steep trail. The area's springs and their surroundings abound in colorful clays—orange, red, and pink. Green and yellow bacteria and algae line the runoff channels.

4.4/8.9 North end of Gibbon Canyon and a short side road along the river for fishing access. Tiny hot springs steam along the riverbank.

4.9/8.4 Gibbon River crossing and Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead parking area. A 700-foot (200 m) climb in about 1 mile (1.6 km) takes you to some tall and oddly shaped geyser cones, including the still slightly active Monument Geyser, also called Thermos Bottle Geyser, which is gradually sealing its own spout with sinter.

5.0/8.3 Lone Tree Rock in the Gibbon River was pointed out to tourists in the stagecoach days. At least one lodgepole still grows out of a rock here, but maybe it's not the same tree.

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 This is an excerpt of the road log to the 13.3 miles of road from Norris Junction to Madison Junction, Yellowstone Treasures, 2nd edition, pages 284–6.

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