Today our goal was to see animals out in the Lamar Valley in the northeast section of the park, so we headed out at 6:00AM. SUCCESS!! Early morning was definitely best!
We were surprised before we even got to the Lamar Valley. As we turned into Mammoth Hot Spring, there in the grassy median near the visitor center was a beautiful bull elk!
On to Lamar Valley!
Unfortunately, we didn’t come across any bears or additional elk, but Lamar Valley had bison!
A ways off the main road were some wolf watchers. They had high powered binoculars and telescopes, but had not spotted any wolf activity yet this morning. Since there was also not much chance to be able to see any with the naked eye from this distance, we got back on the main road.
Off to the right, I spotted a pronghorn heading towards the road.
The rest of the herd:
An idiot truck driver came around the corner towards us and a herd of bison! Obviously, exceeding the National Park speed limit! (adult language at the end of the video)
We discovered Soda Butte along the way. It is a unique, but very fragile natural formation. It is a travertine (calcium carbonate) mound that was formed more than a century ago by a hot spring. Only small amounts of hydrothermal water and hydrogen sulfide gas currently flow from this once prolific spring. This soda butte formation is very fragile. There are signs to not walk or climb on it, and that it is illegal to remove, deface or destroy it.
More bison. We saw plenty.
We watched a huge herd as they grazed near the road, and then headed toward a stream. All of them crossed it to graze on the other side – where everyone knows it is always greener. 🙂
We continued on to check out the Roosevelt Tower Falls and the Roosevelt Lodge.
We enjoyed the changing landscapes all day and the variety in rock formations.
This one and the variety of texture totally captured my attention. Doesn’t one look like a wood and straw hut/house!?!
Tower Fall drops 132 ft.
Roosevelt Lodge:
Wow! Looks like another big truck was going too fast!
We decided to head back to Vinny (in Gardiner).
Coming through the Mammoth Hot Springs was again delightful! Their “resident” bull elk was here for an evening visit. We were able to park and take time to enjoy his magnificence. Once again, rangers were out to make sure people kept their distance from this guy. 🙂
Ready to stand up…
Heading down the road and around the corner we spotted a herd of pronghorn. They came up over the hill and several were close to the road. We were able to get quite a few pictures before additional cars came along. They look so sweet!
Tomorrow we move to Fishing Bridge Campground – inside Yellowstone! I’m so excited! We will be there for 7 nights!!!!