Yellowstone Canyon

This morning we woke early and peeked out of the trailer to see a beautiful sunrise framed by the tall pine trees.  Thoughts of going over to the lake to take photos of it were immediately dismissed when I remembered the bears and the stories I'd been told of them coming up out of the lake at sunrise! Instead we got the fire going and sat huddled around it, our hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee, watching the squirrels' tails jerking as they ran around foraging for food beneath the trees and trying to get photos of the birds as they flew, sometimes noisily, from tree to tree.. 

Morning Campfire and Coffee

After a short time I realised that it was not actually as cold as I'd thought and also that I should be more courageous about bears and went for a walk down to the lake making as much noise as I could just in case there were any bears there. No bears, but other campers striding along energetically on their morning fitness training. Darn! I could have got that sunrise picture !

Early morning walk at Grant Village

Today's plan called for a lot of miles to be covered  - Grant Village to Canyon Village and then on to Mammoth Springs in the north east of the park - so I woke our organiser and reminded him of his plan to leave by 8.30am - it was now almost 9am - and we were on the road an hour later.

The Organiser sleeps

Our route was from West Thumb to Lake Village to Canyon Village and then the Grand Loop Road to Tower Junction from where we would continue on Grand Loop to Mammoth Springs.
The first part took us along the side of Yellowstone Lake, a trip we also did yesterday and again we didn't stop just yet. Pity though, as the lake was like glass with the Absaroka Mountains reflected all their beauty in it. There are a couple of turnouts along this stretch but each one was already parked out with earlier comers and it is just not allowed to stop in other than a dedicated turnout. The photo below gives an idea of the beautiful drive along this stretch of road.

Yellowstone Lake and Absaroka mountains

As we passed by, wisps and puffs of steam  rose here and there from the narrow strip between road and water reminding us that the Lake is actually sitting in a supersized caldera - an active volcano. In fact, the whole of the Park - 3,468.4 square miles - is  geothermal country.


After Lake Village we followed the Yellowstone River to its canyon. The photo below was taken on the way back at dusk, looking across what I believe is the Hayden Valley. It was a lovely view with many Canada Geese and other birds on the water and deer grazing across the river. 
This road also took us past the Sulphur Cauldron and Mud volcanoes but we were intent on getting to the Yellowstone Canyon and did not stop.

Yellowstone River at Hayden Valley View

We came to a sign indicating Uncle Tom's Point and turned off the main road. This, I soon realised, was actually the Yellowstone Canyon with the Upper Falls visible from this point.

Upper Yellowstone Falls

The wide peaceful river seen at Hayden's View a short distance away has now become this energetic, forceful thundering rush of water erupting between narrow rocky walls! It is not possible to see both the Upper and Lower Falls from the same spot so those nimble folk with confident balance can clamber cautiously down series of ladders hooked to the volcanic rock face while others can get in their vehicle and drive across the river to another more distant and safer viewing spot. We took the latter choice!
This is what took our breath away!

Yellowstone Canyon

Lower Yellowstone Falls

Lower Yellowstone Falls

notice the alternative route to view of the Falls- on the farside  bottom right

We spent quite a lot of time here looking in awe at the bright yellow volcanic canyon walls and otherwise enjoying the environment. There was an eagle nesting on top a rocky outcrop with young quite clearly visible through the camera lens. Unfortunately my zoom was insufficient to capture a clear picture of that awesome sight.


Eventually we had to decide to leave and to make room for the newcomers to enjoy this unique scene.