Start time: 0745
Start odometer: 19877
Weather: Cloudy morning with some strong winds, clearing towards the evening. Temperature - 36 degrees F., peaking at 53 degrees.
I had a good day with a bit of walking through the many hot springs and geyser fields located along the drive. I enjoyed my visit to Yellowstone, and hope to return again to discover more of the park. Tonight I am in Jackson, also known as Jackson Hole. A center for the ranchers in the area, it also serves as a core for recreational activities. There are three major ski resorts in the area, including the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
This morning I returned to the park through the west entrance just outside of West Yellowstone, Montana. After crossing into Wyoming, I stopped for a hike on a trail leading into an area burned during the 1988 fire. Here, as well as throughout much of the park, new growth can be seen where the recent fire raged.
Continuing east towards Old Faithful, I stopped at several roadside displays describing the history, geology, and wildlife of the park. Also along the road are several areas to hike and view more hot springs and geysers. The amount of geothermal activity in the park is incredible!
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A sign describing the scene in the next picture. |
As mentioned on the previous sign, these rock glaciers sometimes move en masse |
More bison passing by the side of the road. |
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Another hot spring...The warmth of the hot steam felt good against the cold wind blowing. |
. An interesting geyser formation. |
Hot spring field |
The road led me back to Old Faithful. I arrived about thirty minutes before the next eruption, so I decided to hike up to an observation point several hundred feet above Old Faithful.
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Old Faithful in the lower right corner, before the eruption. This and the next picture show an overview of the area. You can see there are quite a few people there, but from what I was told, nothing like the crowds in the summer. |
The lodge, visitor center, and other facilities are behind the rim of the geyser area. |
As Old Faithful erupts. |
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Another view... |
. The amount of steam generated is impressive! |
The eruption lasted about five minutes and was shorter than the one I saw yesterday. |
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A few minutes after Old Faithful stopped, another geyser to the right from my observation point, the Beehive Geyser, began to erupt! |
It is easy to see how near the geyser is to the walkway. There are walkways and paths through the area behind Old Faithful, where many geysers and hot springs can be seen. |
The size of Beehive Geyser's eruption can be compared to the people standing on the walkway near the base. |
Departing the observation point, I continued hiking the trail to Solitary Geyser. Along the path was a huge bison lying on his side! I left the trail to keep my distance as I circled around him. As I was walking, he decided to get up. I watch carefully, but he had no interest in me. Actually, after he stood up, he did not move for the entire time I was in the area. While at the geyser, I met a gentleman named Dick Everett from Missoula Montana. He brought his kids to explore the park. He also offered to get me in the picture below by the geyser.
I continued along the trail through the geyser and hot spring field, then departed the Old Faithful area of the park. But just as I was leaving, Old Faithful erupted again!
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The bison blocking the trail! |
A panel at Solitary Geyser. |
Me, with two flannel shirts! Not expecting to be on the road this long, I did not bring cold weather gear! |
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The description of Beehive Geyser. |
. Beehive Geyser, after the eruption. |
An interestingly shaped tree trunk along the trail. |
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One last eruption as I was preparing to drive out of the parking lot! |
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I continued driving south, stopping at several more roadside displays, including another stop describing the power and results of the 1988 fire.
The road south leads out of the park, to the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, eventually guiding you into the Grand Teton National Park. This road through the park travels to the east of the Grand Tetons, allowing for great views. I stopped at several outlooks, and will return tomorrow to further explore the park.
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This view shows where the 1988 fire crossed a five hundred foot canyon. |
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Across the low level Jackson Lake, looking northwest. |
From the previous viewpoint, looking southwest. |
Beautiful sights to the west of the road. |
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Clouds surrounding the peak. |
One last view... |
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Tomorrow I head back into Grand Teton National Park, driving in areas I have yet to see. I will also try a few hiking trails along the way. Not sure where I will be tomorrow, as I plan my next destination! Thanks for visiting!
Routes traveled today: US 20 - Yellowstone Park Roads - US 89
Lodging: Motel 6 -
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