Yellowstone - West Thumb - Madison

We entered Yellowstone from the South Entrance . . . 

South Yellowstone

 . . . and arrived at Grant Village, West Thumb, mid afternoon in time to set up and take a look around before the crowds arrived. Check in was a lengthy process with the many safety rules being explained to us one by one. This didn't bother us when we were told that a bear had been seen in F Loop where we had our site just 45 minutes earlier!  

West Thumb - Grant Village

Grant Village is situated on the very end of Yellowstone Lake  - like on the nail of the thumb.
F Loop was in a quiet area very near the lake and this was where our hopeful fisherman took himself, closely followed by his father. Maybe the fact that we had been told that the bear had come up out of the lake and into F Loop was the reason that they returned surprisingly early but maybe it was just that the fish were not biting!

Campsite fireplace

We were told that this year there had been 300% the yearly average of snow and that the lake and rivers were very full with the protracted snow melt and that many animals had been very hungry until a few weeks ago. 
The next morning after our normal breakfast of rolled oats porridge and honey, we left the village at 10am  bound for Old Faithful but it didn't take long for the realisation that we were actually in a wild place to sink in as we frequently came across elk and deer on or beside the road.

Elk

This route took us on the Grand Loop across the Continental Divide at 8,391 feet and also Craig Pass at 8,262 feet. The scenery was crisp, green and white - quite a novelty for us sub tropical dwellers. Just beautiful! 

Lodgepole Pines

We stopped at Kepler Cascades on the Firehole River. . .

Kepler Cascades

Firehole River near Kepler Cascades

. . .  where we met several other touring parties, all in holiday mode - friendly and happy.

Our dog goes everywhere with us!

 Before long we were waiting for Old Faithful to put on a show for us, and after a few minutes . . . 

Old Faithful, Yellowstone

. . Old Faithful obliged much to the delight of the hundreds of people waiting. The geyser erupts about every 80 minutes so the timing of our arrival was excellent.
After lunch at the historic resturant we continued to Midway Geyser Basin where the Excelsior Geyser Crater and the Grand Prismatic Springs are located.

Firehole River at Midway Geyser Basin

As we arrived we could see steam rising in clouds and hot water falling into the river. We were soon out of the car and off to explore this exciting and colourful place. As we walked we were alternately bathed in cold then hot air - quite an odd feeling!

Excelsior Crater

The Excelsior Geyser - its crater is 200 feet across - erupted in the 1800s to a reported 300 feet but hasn't erupted for many years. It does seem to enjoy throwing up clouds of steam and hot water to keep humans from getting too close. 

Prismatic Springs

The Prismatic Spring, 200 - 350 feet across - is Yellowstone's largest hot spring.

close up photo of colourful bacteria

Amazingly there are some algae that thrive in such hot conditions - thermophilic bacteria. One enzyme from such bacteria, Thermus aquaticus -  has been developed for medical use and has also played a role in the development of DNA screening.

Hot Spring, Midway Geyser Basin

 The yellow and orange colours are actually harmful bacteria in that they are swallowing up the different blue coloured ones. Aparently, over the years people have been throwing things into the geysers in an effort to have them erupt and give them a show and this practice has resulted in foreign bodies clogging up the works and altering the bacterial balance detrimentally.

Prismatic Spring

From here we followed the Firehole River to the Lower Geyser Basin to see the area known as Fountain Paintpot. 

Fountain Paintpot

Spring at Fountain Paintpot

Steaming Spring at Fountain Paintpot

Fountain Paintpot

We then continued to Madison Junction where, as we came around a corner and over a bridge, we were met with this amazing sight ! Herds of bison !

Herd of Bison at Madison Junction

Bison Encounter

We returned to West Thumb in the early evening and encountered many wild animals on the roadside. I was reminded every time that I could not get out of the car to take photos. I wouldn't want to be up close to this beast ! Bison can run three times faster than a human - and I take it that that does not mean a plus aged runner like myself but more of an Olympic type. Every year bison inflict terrible injuries on photo taking humans who show them no respect by invading their space.  One animal we were surprised to see walking along the road was a lone wolf. He was terribly sad looking - quite emaciated  - so I guess that he must have offended his pack in some way and been cast out.


And so ended our first day exploring this beautiful and surprising wilderness!