We need to share that we moved from Sheffield on Friday to Jared’s Wild Rose. We needed to move because the drive from Sheffield to the West Yellowstone gate was two hours. Moving to Jared’s meant 15-30 minutes to the gate.
As soon as we set up at Jared’s we went up to the park. We drove the upper side of the park just to get a feel of the area. The lower loop is the busiest and has more to see. However, on our quick trip, we were able to pull off the main road and see the Gibbon Falls. Lorraine loves the waterfalls so she is always looking for them. There are many in the park so that is always amazing. Here is the Gibbons Falls. What is amazing about this park is that you have water everywhere. Waterfalls, rivers, springs and geysers.
For all of our next trips, we broke the park down into sections so that we can do areas in one day. Since the park is so large, there is no way for you to see it in one day. This is our Saturday plan. Since we had already seen Old Faithful and the boardwalk around it, we wanted to see the rest of the area.
We rushed to the Grand Prismatic Springs area. Warning: Do not do this first thing in the morning. The heat from the spring and the cool area leave nothing but mist all around and you can’t see much. Visit this site from lunch on and you will be able to see the site better. Here are the pictures we took first thing in the morning. As you can see, the Spring is covered with the mist. You can see the outskirts of it but you really can’t see over it. The Turquoise pool is on your way into the Springs and the even had mist over it.
On your way out from the Spring, you see the boiling water rolling across the rocks into the river. It is another amazing thing to see.
We went off to the other areas but this is what we saw when we returned. In order for you to get the most popular picture of Yellowstone, you need to go to the Fairy Falls. There is a hiked up the mountain which is just a little less than one mile but it is an uphill walk so take your time. When you get to the top you are able to take this picture. You can see all the people around the base of the spring but this view is incredible.
Before we made it back to the top to see the above, we left the misty area and went to the Biscuit Basin and hike to the Mystic Falls. This is a 2.5 mile hike through the forest and along the Little Firehold River. It was beautiful.
As you can see from the picture above, these falls start well up the mountain. The force that was coming from this fall caused the river to look like rapids. From there we went to the Black Sand Basin with more beautiful geysers and springs. All over the park you will see this stream of mist coming from many areas.
Up the road was the Lower Geyser Basin where the Great Fountain Geyser is located. This geyser erupts twice a day and unfortunately, we just missed it. The next eruption will be at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night. We heard that the view is spectacular but the park ranger warned us about coming into the park at night because all the animals are crossing the roads and many get hit and die. IF we decide to go, it will have to be a 1 mph so we don’t hit anything. Here is what the geyser looked like between its eruptions.
On the way out from the Grand Geyser, you pass by what Mike calls the ant hill geyser. Again another area streaming water. Many are boiling and the water and steam are coming out.
From there and basically across the street was the Fountain Paint Pot area. This is a boardwalk area that goes in loop.
The above is called the Bacteria Mat.
Below is the boiling pot of mud also known as the Mud Pots.
We then went to the Firehole Falls. Another beautiful fall.
On our way out, there was a large crowd of cars pulled over to see the Cow Mousse and her two calves. Everyone just stops in the road and gets out and takes pictures. It is funny but you are always looking to make sure you don’t miss anything.
On to another visit.
