YNP NORTHERN LOOP

AUGUST 16, 2016

START:    Yellowstone NP                  TODAY:        110   Miles

END:         Yellowstone NP                 TOTAL:     2,599   Miles

CAMPGROUND:        Fishing Bridge—Yellowstone

We awakened to 43 degrees this morning so hot oatmeal was on the breakfast menu.  We prepared for a day trip, packing lunch, water jugs, camera, backpack and bear spray.  Our plan was to drive to the North Entrance which abuts the Montana border.  T he heavily treed winding road ran along the edge of 

Yellowstone river.  We spotted a couple of lone buffalo then pulled off the road at Sulphur Caldron.  This was the site of a super-volcano eruption  600,000 years ago that caused the land to  collapse  forming a huge basin.  Hayden Valley is part of the Yellowstone Plateau with broad expanses of grassland where the buffalo really do roam. All the superlatives we could think of still can’t describe the magnificent open range that has been preserved.

Further north the climate was drier with fewer trees as we climbed.    In some areas the roadway was on the edge of steep drop-offs requiring focus and down shifting.

A short hike to Tower Fall provided good viewing and a photo op of the 132 ft waterfall. 

Not more than one half mile after the fall the view changed drastically as we glimpsed the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone prompting another stop.

The rock formations were astounding!

    

Mid morning we wondered into the Roosevelt Lodge, built in 1906.  With a cup of coffee in hand we headed to the rocking chairs on the porch to sit a spell. 

Back on the road we marveled at the ever-changing terrain.  Each mile yielded a different view, steep rock formations, expansive meadows, spring-fed lakes and rivers.  

Now comes Mammoth Hot Springs—it’s all about the heat!  Billions of microorganisms called Thermophiles living in hydrogen sulfide gases and hot waters of the springs. 

After an ice cream cone stop at Canyon Village we drove the Canyon Rim and hiked to Upper Falls.  Can one ever tire of seeing waterfalls? 

In sharp contrast, the smelly Mud Volcano thermal basin was the next stop.  The mud churns and bubbles and a strong sulfur odor was in the air.  Unusual microcosms thrive in this gas environment.

Our final treat for the day was more bison—bringing our total sightings to more than 100.

Nine hours of exploring today, 110 miles logged and 175 photos.  Tomorrow we head out before dawn in search of the elk population. 

Note:  I spotted our Location below at the furthest point in the park that we traveled today.  Our campsite is still at Fishing Bridge.