Highways of Happiness ! [Yellowstone]

[Pmount]

Your comments regarding Yellowstone and people's behavior are right on! We have been very frustrated touring Yellowstone because of the road jams and disregard of rules. We hope to avoid Yellowstone in July and August, as much as possible in the future.
Great pictures and report.
-Pat

[Southwest Dave]

Bison and the Beartooth.

We headed back into Yellowstone this morning, where we had managed to book 3 nights accommodations, thanks in part to Yellowstone's free cancellation policy. If at first you find everything to be booked up as we had, it's worth it to keep checking back on the parks lodging pages for availability. It would seem that it's quite common for people to book a room, even if they are not sure they will make it, and then cancel nearer the time if they can't.

We entered the park about 9am and things were already getting busy. We knew areas we wanted to see, but had no plan in particular. It wasn't long before we were held up in a traffic jam again. I think 2 or 3 cars with excitable people must have pulled up to photograph wildlife which kick started everyone elses curiosity. We finally made our way through the dozen or so cars on either side of the road, to discover that it was a couple of Deer by the side of the road causing all the fuss. A similar thing happened further down the road when someone blocked the road and got out with his camera, fortunately there was a park Ranger on hand to point out the error of his ways.

Our first stop was Norris Geyser Basin, but the car park was full and there were many cars circling around waiting for a space to become available. We quickly decided to move on and try our luck one evening as we had done at Mammoth, it turned out to be a good idea but more on that later. It was a lovely clear morning and I still had an 'itch' that needed scratching, the famous Beartooth Highway, so we headed up towards Mammoth, across to Tower and through the Lamar Valley to Silver Gate. There was major construction at Tower which delayed us another 20 min or so. It looked as though some recent rock fall had occured and where they were working underneath looked a little precarious.

There were large herds of Bison on the move with their young through the Lamar Valley and it made for some spectacular sights as well as more traffic jams as they crossed the roadway.



We stopped at the Log Cabin Cafe in Silver Gate where we both had the Beartooth Burger. The meat was said to be locally raised, grass fed and free range and a burger you would never forget. Well I haven't forgotten it yet, delicious !

We then continued our drive up the Beartooth to the switchbacks where we got out of the car and had a walk across the rugged terrain and took in the views of the mountains, lakes and the switchbacks we had just driven up.



It was time to turn around and head back to Canyon Lodge for the night. We decided to stop for a coffee back in Silver Gate and look around the General store we had noted earlier. We had planned to stop in Cook City on the way back, but Silver Gate was quieter and appealed to us more. After shopping in the store and having a chat with some Locals, they asked if we had had a look around the barn, a huge timber building that I had taken a picture of on the way up. They recommended we did, informing us that no one was inside, but the doors were open and we should wander around. They told us it was thought to be the oldest building in town and is still used for functions, parties and group lodgings. I am so glad we stopped here, the building had a real WOW factor, the whole building and furnishings were made of timber. As we looked up into the eaves we hadn't even realised that there were landings with bedrooms and bathrooms all the way around an upper floor. A huge dining room, lounge areas and wonderful old fashion kitchen and servery were also discovered as we made our way around.







Silver Gate General Store and cabins.



Once again the clock was turning and we were back on the road. We drove back through the Lamar Valley with a stop at Soda Butte creek and many more stops for Bison Herds and views and then to Tower, where the traffic and congestion due to the works had eased considerably, so we took the time to walk to Tower Falls.

Soda Butte Creek.





Lamar Valley.



Tower Falls.



As the light faded we drove to Canyon and got checked in by 8:30pm and then headed to the dining rooms. The restaurant had a 45min waiting time so we opted for the cafe, which was basically a self service canteen at restaurant prices. Not a great dining experience but it done the job of filling us up before turning in for the night.

Another long, yet wonderful day was had.

Todays mileage = 210 miles. Average speed = 30mph. Returning 34.5mpg.

Total mileage = 2190

Route.

[Southwest Dave]

Your comments regarding Yellowstone and people's behavior are right on! We have been very frustrated touring Yellowstone because of the road jams and disregard of rules. We hope to avoid Yellowstone in July and August, as much as possible in the future.
Great pictures and report.
-Pat

Thanks Pat.

I can only imagine what it must have been like during the height of the summer season. I certainly understand peoples excitement, but the lack of common sense and consideration shown by some is certainly frustrating.

Dave.

[Lifemagician]

I can only imagine what it must have been like during the height of the summer season.

It was no different in May either. In fact, my three visits have been in three different seasons, and it's always the same.... the inconsiderate few making it difficult for the rest.

Guess it was ever thus.

Lifey

[DonnaR57]

My dad always called those jams, "Bear jams". On our two separate trips to Yellowstone, both during summertime, it always seemed to be a bear or two causing the jam.

If the animal is in the middle of the road (such as the caribou that decided to stop in the middle of the Alaska Highway), the traffic HAS to stop. But at the side of the road in Yellowstone, or stupidly getting out and/or feeding the bear, that's just not right!

One time we were on the highway heading up to the Athabasca Glacier (Jasper), going to take the trip out onto the glacier. There were mountain goats on the road, *sticking their heads in people's cars because the idjits were trying to feed them!" My brother did the right thing: he quickly rolled up the windows! (1976)


Donna

[Southwest Dave]

A walk in the park.

Following a good nights sleep in our cosy cabin we wandered back to the Canyon diner for breakfast and then decided to leave the car where it was and walk to Grandview point on the rim of the Grand canyon of the Yellowstone. It was a bright chilly start to the day, ideal for walking. We made our way along a quiet wooded path that led from the cabins to the rim, there were a couple of squirrels that kept us company for part of the way. It wasn't long before we arrived at Grandview point and Wow ! The views were quite amazing, nature has done a fine job ! The canyon is up to 1200ft in depth and 4000ft in width and is an array of colour. We read that this was due to Hot Spring activity continually altering the Lava rock to create the colours which are largely due to varied iron compounds.

We continued our walk along the rim to the Falls, walking down various paths to different viewpoints. Some of the trail was away from the road and very quiet but as the morning moved on the viewpoints near the road were busier, but not packed with people by any means. It was nice to leave the car behind for the morning and take a long walk, by the time we got back to the car that we had left outside the cabin, 5 hours had past us by.

Along the Trail.













As we were walking cloud came in, followed by drizzle and then rain that was heavy at times. Luckily it was quite warm as 'Mr organised' here forgot to take his rain gear from the boot of the car. We had checked out of our cabin so on our return it was quick change of clothes from the suitcase around the back of the car for me, before going back to the lodge for lunch. Time was getting on and we decided to grab a snack from the Deli to keep us going, especially as the Canyon dining room had not done anything for us last night, or at breakfast this morning. We ended up with 2 very average cheese rolls and 2 small bottles of juice for a little under $18 which was very dissapointing. The food so far here had not been great but it had been expensive and it was the first conversation we had had about missing the RV all trip.

The time was 2pm and the rain was still coming down heavy so we decided that now might be a good time to visit Norris Geyser Basin with a good possibility of fewer crowds. It worked out well, the weather didn't hamper the views and the car park was under half full. Up to now we had enjoyed our time in Yellowstone but this took things up to a different level, Wow ! It was an 'out of this world' place like no other and we were awe struck by the sites and sounds of vents releasing steam and water and the landscape that they had created.







To be cont........

[john.waters]

Hi Dave
Really enjoying Yellowstone National Park. So much that I have gone back editing photos of the falls from 2011.We were ther in early May and Fishing bridge had just opened. Love the snow.

John

[Southwest Dave]

Hi John.

Thanks, but I didn't mean to distract you, I'm looking forward to updates on your trip report. ;-)

Dave.

A few more from Norris Geyser Basin.



A shame about the evidence of mindless people throwing sticks and stones which they are warned not to do.

[john.waters]

Hi John.

Thanks, but I didn't mean to distract you, I'm looking forward to updates on your trip report. ;-)

Dave.

]

Im easily distracted Dave. Cant get the USA out of my mind at the moment.
John

[Mark Sedenquist]

Loving these photos -- great shots!

Mark