The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is actually how Yellowstone claimed its name. This is the Lower Falls.
That stone is pretty yellow. Here I am pausing on Uncle Tom's Trail that leads to a good view of the Lower Falls. The trail is now a series of metal steps and platforms but once was a connection of rope ladders to get to the viewing point.
Our first day in Canyon, we spent hiking along the North and South Rim. The view from Artist's Point made for great pics.
And the opposite end of the Canyon, from Inspiration Point.
We stayed in a quadriplex cabin.
The next day, after our cafeteria breakfast, we set out to complete the entire upper loop, including Roosevelt and Mammoth.
First thing in the morning, we had a grizzly sighting. A couple of bear watchers had telescopes set up so we were able to take in some really good views of this girl. Apparently, this momma bear's cubs had not survived the winter and she had been transported to the southernmost part of the park after killing some chickens in Gardiner, MT. She was now back in the north park and spends her mornings rooting for breakfast.
Basalt columns in the background of the canyon formed when lava cooled really quickly.
The petrified tree is now gated as years ago there were more petrified trees.
The North Entrance to the park goes through the Roosevelt Arch, built in 1903.
The terraces at Mammoth were beautiful limestone and in a state of constant change. Even within a span of few years, the once active hot spring of Minerva is now just a trickle.
The Upper Terraces have a basin filled with water that drips over the edge in successive steps.
The Golden Gate and Golden Gate Canyon were damaged during the earthquake and successive rockslides in 1959.
On our last morning in Yellowstone, driving back through Hayden Valley, we arrived to this beautiful sight. A huge herd of bison grazing, bathing, vying for females, and traveling back and forth across the road was just waiting for us.
A typical traffic jam in Yellowstone.
And then the action started to get a little closer. And the rangers told us to stay in our cars.
We sat and watched the bison for at least an hour. Someone pointed out this bald eagle taking in the action also.
On our way back to ID, we drove through Grand Teton National Park. We didn't get to spend a great amount of time exploring the Tetons but we were able to see the magnificent mountains and the famed Jenny Lake. Definitely somewhere we would like to go back for some biking and hiking.
Time to head back home :(
