Yellowstone Day 2

Day 2 and we are ready to rock and roll!  We stop by the Le Hardy rapids that we missed yesterday.

I feel like I am back in Minnesota

Watched this little guy ducking in and out of the rapids

We continue on and it looks like the herd has crossed back over

We'll check out the Norris Geyser Basin

Norris is the second hottest active geyser basin in the Park.  Temperatures underground have been measured at 706 degrees Fahrenheit

Steamboat Geyser is the highest erupting active geyser in the world going up to 380 feet.  Of course the last time it did that was in September 2014.

It still put on a good show

We did not do the entire basin - looked like it went on for miles

We continue the drive

 And come across this Fumerole letting of steam at Roaring Mountain.  Back in the 1800's the sound of it could be heard up to 4 miles away

 Next stop is Sheepeater Cliff

 The drive through this section is spectacular

 At every turn the scenery and geography changes

Got to check this out

We pull in to the parking area and walk in.  It is a driving loop.  We decide not to do the drive

 But then we get down the road and I catch a glimpse of this

We turn back and decide to at least do the trail down to the Spring

So glad we did - not the kind of Spring I was expecting

Eerie in spots

 Beautiful in others

This is the upper terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs

We hit a traffic jam

  

Oops, hope he doesn't go up on the hood

 Looks like he's going to go around

 I resist the urge to reach out and touch someone

 and he continues on while Tucson watches

We stop here for a picnic lunch

We drive through a burn area but nice to see the regeneration of trees

A petrified tree trunk.  I guess there used to be 3 of them  until tourists took souvenirs and they put a fence up around this one.

 Another small delay

The loop takes us through Dunroven Pass and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The rock formations look like a wooden fence

The view of the Yellowstone river cutting through the canyon goes on forever.

 Zoom in on some Mountain Goats below

Tower Falls

132' drop

Framed by eroded Volcanic Pinnacles

We reach Dunraven Pass the highest section of road in the Park

 There's bears in these here hills

We get out here to check out the view from the hill and to give Tucson a chance to stretch his legs.  It is quite windy!

I'm always amazed by where flowers and trees are able to take root and grow.

Next stop Lookout Point

 

 Not inspired as the lookout point is closed

 Fortunately we find another spot to be inspired by

We meander back home some 100+ miles later.