11-jul-19 Yellowstone Part 2 - Geysers - Animals - Scenic Views

Written 2 days ago at Spring Creek RV Park in Big Timber, Montana

I've been out of the park for 2 days now, still reviewing all that happened and all that I saw. The internet is virtually useless here so It will be a few days before I post this but I want to write out some of my feelings now.

It was a once in a lifetime, unforgetable experience, and one that I almost gave up on twice. The crowds, traffic, and commercialism will always be found at the entrances and major attractions, the experiences that mattered to me took place mostly in near isolation in the more remote areas and early morning or evening hours.

First, a few pictures, one or two of which actually recapture some of the moments as I lived them.

This Elk stopped traffic along the Yellowstone Lake road. Again, my first sighting of one and incredibly close. Just grazing along without a thought of us and our concerns at all.

Pronghorn, again my first view of them, here in the Lamar Valley where the great herds of animals are seen and though I did not get to see them, the wolves and grizzly bears which prey on them. The predators are likely seen in the early morning and at dusk and my timing was off, live and learn.

Pronghorn crossing the road, there were many instances of roadkill, especially among the smaller animals, but large as well, and it is fascinating to watch the care these animals take when crossing the road in traffic. They seem to treat cars as large predators which may not be too dangerous because they have eaten their fill earlier. Be cautious.

BUT!

The best sighting I could not get a picture of, A majestic adult on the rocks 20 feet above the side of the road calling out to the heard, the real Call of the Wild, but I had thought it a car alarm until I rounded a bend in the road and caught the quickest of glances before it was out of sight. So many sights appeared and were gone in an instant that I was overwhelmed with memories of this park

This Bison was no more than 25 feet away when I first saw him, I was out in the open at the time and it was my first sighting of one. Much closer than park rules allow but, as they do, he appeared out of nowhere just grazing happily along. Later, from the RV he got even closer and I took this picture which expresses the idea that I had a home where the buffaloes roam at least once in my life.

Absaroka Mountains from West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake - the lake is evidently filled by runoff from these mountains and the lake then feeds the north flowing Yellowstone River with a number of waterfalls and sights many of which were too crowded for the RV, next time.

Lamar River shortly before it joins the Yellowstone.

Geyser Terrace just west of Mammoth Hot Springs

Steamboat Geyser - The largest or tallest in the world - 300 feet when it goes off

Small geyser - Norris Geyser Basin

Rustic Falls - Golden Gate Canyon - the roadway here was built right into the side of a sheer cliff late 19th century, and was the most difficult and dangerous road in the area.

Emerald Pool, Norris Geyser Basin - quite the most beautiful site in the basin as far as I'm concerned but you must experience it with the sufurous smells of the entire basin. Pork Chop Geyser might be a close second but from a bit farther away.

In 3 days and 2 nights spent at Indian Creek Campground I managed to take the RV over most of the major roads including Dunraven Pass on the Grand Loop Road which at 8800 feet gave the RV a chance to show its stuff in second gear. I have a sort of overview of something you could spend a lifetime enjoying. My preference would be a week at Fishing Bridge with a second small vehicle, toad or tow to see the less accessible sights and park at some of the more crowded main attractions. Travel early in the morning to see the wildlife. It has taken me 2 nights at Spring Creek Campground and Trout Ranch to recover. Probably 3 visits over 5 years, something like that. There really is no single best way to visit the park, only the unforgivable error of never visiting at all.


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At the Spring Creek RV Park and Trout Camp where I stayed after the park I watched a father teach his son about fishing in the fast moving Boulder River. They are very serious about hunting and fishing in Montana as well as in most of the rural areas I Have traveled in.