This episode takes us to the top of Mount Washburn; along the Fire Hole River; and out to West Yellowstone.
Our first trek of the day was a short drive from Canyon Village up to Dunraven Pass. We got an early start because we had a long day planned and as always we wanted to get in a hike and a lot of sightseeing while we had light. On our way to the trail head parking area at Dunraven Pass we rounded a corner and was greeted by this young Grizzly conveniently munching on some flowers about 40 yards off the side of the road.
This bear was not very big and since we did not see a Mamma Grizzly we just assumed that this was his/her first year alone. Here is a video:
Our first hike of the day was up Mount Washburn. This was a 1,400' vertical assent in just over three miles. At the top the elevation was 10,243 feet. Other than Mt. Fuji (12,389') in Japan, this was the third highest mountain that we ever climbed too. Cindy has made the summit of Mt. Hood (11,250') in Oregon.
Here we are on the way up and at the top of Mt. Washburn.
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| Chris working his way to the top of Mt. Washburn. The Hayden Valley is over his left shoulder. |
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| Cindy nearing the top of Mt. Washburn |
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| Chris & Cindy at the to of Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone National Park |
This was a very nice 6.4 mile hike with great 360 degree views. Videos to follow.
On top of Washburn is an active fire tower manned by a Park Service Ranger. This seemed to be a very sophisticated fire tower. Not that I have seen a lot, but the fire towers that I've climbed up in to during my early teens in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina were basically a small hut on top of stilts. This tower had a lot of technical communications gear, including multiple microwave antennas; a full bed room with refrigerator stove; and many more conveniences including his/hers bathrooms with running water. A lot has changed over the years!
Here are three videos that provide a much better view than still pictures. The first one is taken just below the summit. The second one is at the top and the last is a view of the Yellowstone Canyon and Hayden Valley.
After the hike we reversed our route back to Canyon Village and turned west towards the Norris Geyser Basin area. More about Norris in Day 13. The road followed within the greater Yellowstone caldera (see post at Old Faithful and Geyser Basin for details regarding the caldera) with various vistas that were not photographed, with the exception of Virginia Cascade. The cascading waterfall was on the Gibbons River.
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| Virginia Cascade on the Gibbons River |
The road took a SW route from Norris Geyser Basin to Madison. At this intersection the Gibbons (with headwaters near Grebe Lake to the NW) and Firehole Rivers (which flows north with headwaters west of Shoshone Lake and through the Old Faithful Geyser basin) form the extremely scenic Madison River. I know that seems like way too much detail (you really need to look at a map of Yellowstone to appreciate), but I want to give the sense of all three rivers coming together in Madison. Each one of them having their own personalities and yes a Fly Fisherman's dream!
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| Scenic Madison River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming |
From Madison we took a side trip South heading towards Old Faithful in order to see the Firehole Falls. Here are a couple pictures. Of course Chris had to get in on the action.
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| Firehole Falls |
Just a little ways up the road from here we encountered a very congested area that was not on the map. As it turned out there a some thermal areas (hence Firehole) and some favorite swimming holes that the Park Service turns a blind eye too. People were walking along the side of the road with inter tubes and swim goggles. We unfortunately were not prepared so we just watched from afar and the moved on.
We presided back to Madison and then turned West and followed the Madison River all the way out to the entrance/exit at West Yellowstone. This area has certainly built up since we were here in 1988. We stopped to look around the tourist shops and had dinner. Yes it was pizza but no it did not register on my world famous pizza list. :(
Unfortunately this road trip was not a loop route so we had to follow the same road back to Canyon Village. Just note that when you are in an area that you are not familiar with, there is bound be something you missed or wildlife that was just not present when you went through the first time. Here is a waterfall that we drove past but did not stop the first time around. This is Gibbon Falls.
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| Gibbon Falls between Norris Geyser Basin and Madison in YNP. |
On the road East between Norris and Canyon Village we were happy to see more Elk. We actually captured these on video.
Here is a single elk cow right beside the road.
This was another great day in the park blessed with perfect weather and very scenic rivers.
Day 13 is planned for Mammoth Hot Springs. So stay tuned as always!
