Perfect time to visit Yellowstone NP

Welcome again to our blog - this post covers our visit to Yellowstone NP - stay tuned for an upcoming post that will cover next week's National cycling event. Oooh suspense. It's been a busy summer and if you are an avid blog reader you must have asked the same question every big horn sheep wants to know, "where have you been?" 

Where have you been?

We've been all over but luckily, after a blazing summer, our weather is cooling off - slightly - and the leaves are changing around us. Holly's hill is right out our backyard - this is our view during breakfast.

Holly's hill changing colors this fall

Last week, Holly and I drove north through Idaho and into NW Wyoming to visit Yellowstone National Park. Shortly after we entered the park, through the West Yellowstone entrance, I excitedly jumped out of the car to prep my camera gear. Prep complete, I got behind the wheel and drove off into the park - it didn't take long to realize I had not closed the rear hatch - c'mon, arriving in Yellowstone is like Christmas morning to photographers. We drove along the western portion of the park as we headed north toward our cabin in Mammoth Hot Springs,

I quietly snuck out of the car to get this picture, Holly sat frozen in the passenger seat

It didn't take long before we ran into our friends, the American Bison on the road. Despite Holly's familiarity with this animal she was not going to get too close. I had to "nudge" her (her words were "pushed my back") to lean out of the window to get a closer picture - she fought back pretty hard...but she got a good picture.

Causing a traffic jam

A reflection later in the afternoon as we headed toward Mammoth Hot Springs

 We arrived in Mammoth Hot Springs before dark, in time to see one of the big bull elks as he roamed the grounds of old Fort Yellowstone. He had just gotten up from an afternoon nap and was very frisky. This being the "rut" he was trying to fend off other bulls and set up a harem - he certainly did not seem comfortable in his own skin.

Scratching feels so good

Taking a moment to rest

Using his antlers to stir up trouble

We checked into our rustic cabin, no TV, no phone, no problem. We walked to the lodge's restaurant for a delicious dinner before heading to bed.








 In the morning I snuck out and set up my camera to capture photos (wish I had taken video instead) of a bull elk walking past me (within 8 feet) while bugling his heart out. You can see his breath as he belts out his call.

 Another bull answered his call then met him head on to protect his territory. They met, turned and walked side-by-side all the while bugling at one another. It was an awesome display.

After a dazzling display the bull elks went their separate ways and I headed off to collect Holly and head off to conquer Mount Washburn.

We chose to hike to the top of Mount Washburn for a couple of reasons; Gen Sherman's son wrote about his hike here in 1877, it's altitude of 10,243 both provided an overview of the park and a personal record for Holly's highest hike and there were rumors of big horn sheep about. 

The view from the beginning of the 5.7 mile round trip look daunting but as you can see from the picture to the right - our intrepid hiker was up to the challenge.

View down the trail from about half way to the top

 

The cold wind dictated function over fashion to save Holly's ears from freezing

We topped out but the view was hindered by the smoke from nearby wildfires

 After our return hike we departed the park via the north exit - Gardner, Montana. Dinner in Gardner was abysmal so our spirits were buoyed when we saw these mother elk and their little ones lounging in a park. The elk overlooked a nearby youth football practice and the famous gateway arch - Teddy Roosevelt laid a ceremonial rock in 1902.

We planned to depart the park via the West Yellowstone exit but spotted this Bison crossing the river. Holly captured this guy either giving us the "ppssttt" for taking his picture - or he was taking a drink. You decide. 

 We stayed the next two nights in Island Park in an A frame log cabin with a hot tub on the deck - it was really nice. We went into the park every day seeking out bears, wolves, big horn sheep and other animals. Mostly we just enjoyed the time together and marvelled at the scenery.

I did get up early to search out the two big moose reputed to be in Island Park. On day two I spotted them - a couple hundred yards away - and watched as they tussled with their antlers.

The yearling with budding horns

Mom and her little one

On the last day of our visit we finally saw the elusive big horn sheep. They were the source of our running joke - that big horn sheep were a figment of someones imagination - they didn't exist. Well now we have photographic evidence to the contrary. Ironically we had hiked to the top of Mount Washburn and saw a few white butts as the sheep ran away - then a day later we saw these sheep at the bottom of Mount Washburn. We should have just stayed at the bottom.

  This guy walked to the edge of the trees, looked down at me then posed a couple of times then walked off.











One afternoon we drove over by Druid Peak to try to catch a peek at the famous Druid Pack of wolves who patrol that area. We struck out BUT we saw plenty of Bison and Holly found a quiet place along Pebble Creek.

Bison were plentiful in Hayden Valley

Pebble Creek - the only sound was the rushing water

Crow's next high above

 

Before leaving we stopped by the famous Old Faithful Lodge.
History seems to ooze from her pores - imagine hearing a band playing in this room high above the guests. Today we can only imagine the traveler's experience from over a hundred years ago - but we sure had a good time too.

Lastly, while driving along the river we saw an Osprey flying along - he crashed into the water beside us - just feet away - right out the passenger window - it was awesome! We turned around and Holly balanced the camera's heavy lens and took these pictures to wrap up our highly memorable trip to Yellowstone NP.

 Thank you for sharing our journey.