We had 3 nights, 2 full days exploring the park.
Wow. How to describe the place? I'll pinch some facts from the park brochure..
Created by three huge volcanic eruptions, the first 3 million years ago, the second 1.3 million years ago, and the last 640,000 years ago, with the first 1,000 times more powerful than the Mt St Helens eruption of 1980. The central part of what is now the park collapsed, leaving a caldera 30 by 45 miles. The magmatic heat that powered those eruptions still powers the park's geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots.
Tie that in with magnificent canyons, waterfalls, mountains, park like meadows, and the animals for which it is famous, and you have a great experience.
First up, before we even entered the park was Mesa Falls and Big Spring, which is where Henry's Fork of the Snake River rises. Incredibly clear water bubbling up out of the ground.
Our first experience after entering the park was bison, quickly followed by a big grizzly.
Then the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Upper and Lower Falls. We wandered along both sides of the canyon taking endless photos. Breathtaking.
Mud Volcano and a close encounter with a bison.
Next up, we drove around Yellowstone Lake to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Amazing colours created by micro-organisms living in the sulphurous water.
And then the famous Old Faithful and Castle Geyser, and numerous other geyser basins full of bubbling sulphurous springs and fascinating colours.
On our way out, some bison grazing by the road.
Our second day was filled with more steaming, bubbling geyser basins, waterfalls and animal spotting.
Mammoth Hot Springs
And more animals. Elk, bighorn sheep, coyote.
Followed by more waterfalls
After Yellowstone we had a few days back at Pam and Howdy's enjoying their local area without the cloak of winter snow we'd previously seen.
We walked the Skyline trail which gave us great views of Pineview Resevoir and the valley.
Then hiked to the top of 9,570ft Mt Ogden - the highest peak of the Snowbasin Resort where we ski. From here you can look down the ski slopes on one side to Pineview Lake where P and H live, and Ogden city and the Great Salt Lake on the other side.
There was a rock concert at the resort, followed by a carpark party with our local ski mates, then next day we had a nice walk in nearby Wheeler and Ice Box canyons.
It's been a fabulous road trip. Huge thanks to Pam and Howdy for all the organisation and driving. If they haven't changed the locks, we'll be back in 6 months for some Utah powder!
