Awoke to full sun and finally get to see the surroundings of our hotel. We are sitting on the Henry River, good trout fishing. And the patio site slightly above the slow-moving river, we can see fish surfacing and a heron trying to fish. Later in the evening fly fishers will be in front of us trying their luck. The breakfast was very good. We think they are busy due to weekend but will see. Leave for the northern park ring.
First stop is Norris Geyser field. A lengthy board walk and forest trail take us
through many types of activity. The
Steamboat geyser is here, much more explosive and greater volume. Parking lot says if it throws water on our
cars it can ruin paint jobs. However, it
infrequently erupts, last time on 18th, and not likely today. The ranger says YELL has 1000-3000
earthquakes a month and are monitored by scientists. The last 3.9 quake coincided with Steamboat’s
eruption. The air is cook and sun is
hot, the cool air intensifies the steam coming off the geyser field. Further up the road we stop at Mammoth
Springs, a slow weeping huge terrace geyser with limestone making white
travertine stair steps. This is the site
of the old park headquarters; the housing and admin buildings from early 20th
century. A large bull elk rests under a
tree in the heat. Much of the park
services are closed for the season offering very little in food but gift shops
are open.
Northward we get into higher elevations with
incredible views; we are in wolf and grizzly territory. We take a road less traveled hoping it would
help us see more wildlife. 6 miles of
narrow one-way road full of potholes and washboard. Didn’t see a thing except a sign warning
hikers to stay out of the area due to bear activity. We take a short drive further up the north
road into the Lamar Valley, known for wolf pack. We can only go 6 miles because road is closed
for construction being done to repair damage from the spring flood. Not sure
what food sources they would find in this high arid elevation. And then we see a herd of bison and a rutting
antelope chasing a female. Looks like
dinner! We didn’t see wolves but it is
very warm and there is a lot of large side tipping trucks coming into the
closed highway and disturbing this remote area.
This area of the park has less geyser activity and not visited by as
many tourists. The roads are in good
shape but often hug the mountain side with no rails. They say there are moose here but we only see
one area they might remotely like, so we think they are rare.
We drive further down the northern loop to Canyon
Village, lodge and visitor’s center for Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. We watch a movie on earthquakes and
geysers. Follow the rim trails to see
the upper and lower Yellowstone River pass through a tight canyon with high
falls, walls of bare yellow and multi colored rock and strange carved out
shapes. It is 400 plus feet deep and 2 ½
miles wide at points. Once again YELL doesn’t
fail to impress with even more natural wonders.
The park requires some backtracking to get in and out of it and we are
ready for a rest. Drive through West
Yellowstone and back to our hotel. We
have dinner on the patio and the fire pit is lit. A heron is fishing as well as 3 fishers, one
is very successful, but catches and releases.
We have one more day here and nice not to have to pack up every morning
as we have and will do again.
We have a very rigorous travel plan once we leave
here, traveling long distances on I 90 east to get home by Oct 1. Our trip as been such a whirl wind of travel
experiences and long days but we have missed the grandkids every day,
especially after spending so much time with them. Seth seems happy to have us coming home. He and Carrie will be off house watch duty.
Thankful for travel mercies and kindness of others.
Six days to go.
Nighty night.
Miles Driven Today: 194
Total Miles Driven: 3443
Yellowstone Sites Seen Today
