We had a fabulous Labor Day in Yellowstone today.
I was moving slowly in the am but by 9:30 we were on our rented Trek bikes to explore the trails in Old Faithful area…there is so much more to see than the Old Faithful Geyser which blows white steam every 90 minutes.
We rode bike trails to see the famous Morning Glory Pool, passing many other “thermal” sites. Can you tell how it got its name?
Rode along Firehole River
Took a path to see Biscuit Basin but a couple of Bison were a little too close to the path towards the road. So we turned around.
Glad we took the alternative trail. We saw some impressive sites in Black Sand Basin.
This geyser goes off continually.
Video of Cliff Geyser
After bike ride we jumped in the truck to tour upper part of grand loop.
On ride from Old Faithful to Madison the highlights were:
Picnic lunch on Nez Perce River
And ride down Firehole Canyon Road to see Firehole Falls
Madison to Norris. Stopped at Artists Paintpots. Actual pots were not that impressive up close but the walk up to a high point looking down the valley was impressive.
From Norris to Mammoth Hot Sorings, such varied terrain… rolling hills, forests, mountain switchbacks and calcite terraces and finally a little resort with a herd of wild elk in middle of town.
Took long way home to complete the grand tour of Yellowstone. About 60 miles.
As we approached the vicinity of our hotel and the sun was setting, we pulled into the Lower Geyser Basin. We ran down the boardwalk to get a view of Clepsydra Geyser, a perpetual spouter. It was magical to watch her against a backdrop of the sun setting behind the mountains.
