GTV First Loop: Yellowstone

Mel here. Not quite ready to face the crowds (so many tour buses!) and with iffy weather overhead, we opted for a scenic loop drive morning before heading back into Yellowstone.

Dead Indian Pass (such simplistic, one-sided western nomenclature for such a dark time in history—particularly for the Nez Peirce)

As soon as we reentered the park, we knew it would work out this time. The buffalo came out to greet us! And so everyone stopped…

After checking out a few truly unique Yellowstone sites (there’s a reason people flock here), we settled in at Norris campground, where we nabbed one of the very last spots.

Mud pots

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone Falls

***

Both of the rangers we asked for advice pointed us toward the inaptly named “Seven Mile Hole” hike—a ten-mile round-trip trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We loved it, not only for the varied terrain and views (cliff, forest, thermal, river) but because we saw (we think) a wolf (or possibly a very large coyote…but we’ll go with wolf) at the bottom of the canyon. Unfortunately, it was too far away to come out in pictures. But seriously—we saw a wolf. We think.

Next more thermal fun, capped off by a sunset viewing of Old Faithful.

Artists' Paint Pots:*

Grand Prismatic Spring 

Old Faithful:

Aaaaaaaand more buffalo:

As night settled in, we drove south toward the Grand Tetons, making camp at an RV resort just outside the park. No boardwalk = no people. Also, props to Jeff for skillfully avoiding that giant elk on the dark night road.

Days lessons: Rather than being deterred by the throngs at Yellowstone (or any national park), just head for the tough hikes and you’ll have the trail to yourself. Also, it is possible to take too many pictures of Old Faithful.

* NOTE:  All Yellowstone materials seem to read as follows:  "Artists Paint Pots." However, as this is grammatically impossible (multiple artists, multiple pots, but no possessive?!?!?) I am forced to correct the NPS in this post. It was killing me. Killing. Me. The dude cannot abide.