2012 Yellowstone May
May 25 2012 Friday We left Signal Mountain Lodge this morning and headed north to Yellowstone. Since the weather was snowy and unpredictable, we went west over Teton Pass and north through Idaho and into West Yellowstone. We spotted some bison, but it was difficult to get clear pictures. The roads were dry, then wet with rainy conditions, then wet snowy conditions and finally just plain snowy. It was a dreary, gray day, but we did not have any problems with road conditions.
As we came out of West Yellowstone and followed the Madison River, the weather cleared for abrief moment and I was able to get a nice picture of a bison with the river in the background.






May 27 2012 Sunday Repeat of yesterday, only this morning’s snow total was six inches. The weather towards the park looked gray and dreary and also very pretty with all the snow on the trees.
Just after we passed through the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone Park, we saw a moose and stopped for photos. This area has been a great location for us to see moose. Every day we see at least one. I just never get tired of seeing the bison. They are everywhere. Today in the snow the bison had to move their head back and forth to clear the snow so that they could eat the grass beneath the snow.







This hike gave us an opportunity to take a break from the car and travel by foot for a change. The Hellroaring Creek Trail explores the hilly region along the northern stretches of the Yellowstone River. The trail descends a series of switchbacks, dropping about 600 feet in a mile to the 220 ft. long suspension bridge over the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone River. From the parking lot, the trail descends through open fields and the occasional patch of pine forest. It isn’t long until you get a view of the creek.


This day was all about a Momma bear and her two cubs. We drove thru Lamar Valley and drove up the road to the Tower store. At the top of the overlook was Mom and her cubs. We watched her for hours (along with hundreds of others).
The cubs were just extremely entertaining. They were definitely learning their climbing skills. Both cubs would crawl around the brush and climb up and down tree stumps.



The area was clearly marked no parking, but the cars were stopped on the road. We normally try our best to go to the next available pullover, no matter how far away. But since we couldn’t get around the traffic in front of us, I had to get out of the car and see what was happening.
Well, just about 100 yards below the wolves was a bear on a carcass!!
We spent the remainder of the day driving the upper loop. An internet friend had told me about Crystal Falls in the Upper Falls Brink area. It took us a little while to find it, but it was well worth the effort. We also did the drive to Lookout Point and Inspiration Point to see Yellowstone Falls. Since it was the nicest and warmest day since we arrived, we enjoyed a late day picnic at Gibbon River.
From John Muir… “Break clear away…climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
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