Yellowstone NP

June 22- 25, 2018

Mileage 53205

Temps highs 60’s Lows 40’s

          Anxious to get to Yellowstone so we were up at 6:15 and tried to fill up with propane on the way out of the park. However the camp store didn’t open until 9 so on the road we went. We stopped to fill up the Jeep at a gas station just down the road and asked where we could fill with propane. They recommended a place in Gardiner where we were heading. After some searching we found the propane fill station and had to wait for them to open. Our propane gauge showed 1/3 full but the outside gauge on the tank showed 2/3 full anyway only added 3 gallons and we would not have had to fill.

      We stopped at the park entrance and took pictures then passed through the entrance with our golden age pass.  Made it to Mammoth campground at 9:45 and they set us in site 3 where we filled with water. This campground is a first come first serve and no reservations can be made ahead. We were here about a ½ hour when we got a knock on the door and were advised we could move to site 52 for the next four nights.  

This site was for training purposes and electric was available to Law groups.

          After relocating we took the Jeep and investigated the park. The first stop was at the Mammoth Visitor center. We joined Yellowstone Forever for $35 and received a discount on most purchases at restaurants and gift items in this and other national parks. We then drove to Tower and explored the falls and area. We saw a Black Bear at Tower eating grubs after tearing up a dead log. Several bison were sighted on the way to Tower.

Our next destination was Fishing Bridge and we also stopped at the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River. Several Hydro-thermal features were also investigated.  The falls on the Yellowstone are beautiful and the valley is called the little Grand Canyon of the park.

 One day we traveled to Old Faithful and as they were doing road work we were held up and roads were wet and muddy. We continued to see wildlife and spotted Buffalo, Antelope, and more. Old Faithful was a treat along with the eruption we also went inside the Inn and gift shop. The architecture of these old structures are amazing. We continued to explore each day we were here and one day we went to Lamar Valley and were delighted to see lots of Buffalo. We estimated there were 2000 along the Lamar River.

Jay went fly fishing in the Madison River when we went to West Yellowstone one afternoon. No fish were caught during this adventure. We saw lots of Elk several places in the park but the majority were around Mammoth Hot Springs and the Albright Visitor center.  

 Madison River

 Old Faithful geyser

 Thermals

 Alkaline salts on trees

Gibbon Falls

 Elk in Mammoth

 Bull Buffalo

Sherry and I really enjoyed Yellowstone the scenery and wildlife was beautiful and majestic. What great memories we take away from Yellowstone. I sorted through more than 1500 pictures and selected just a few to put on this blog.

Hope you enjoy.