TUESDAY - Tricia restrained herself and didn't take a single photo as we drove all the way through Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.
That's nearly an hour and a half without grabbing her phone. There's two reasons for that, firstly, it's because we've already photographed everything we drove by today, and secondly, there just wasn't anything out of the ordinary to photograph.
All that changed after we entered Yellowstone National Park, it was all new territory after that. Well if you don't count our visit here two years ago.
ARRIVING AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
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The photos didn't start right at the Entrance Gate, because this was all there was to see.
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That all changed when the road started paralleling the Lewis River.
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There was even an updated bridge built where Lewis River crosses under the road.
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We stopped in at Grant Village where we camped on our first visit two years ago. Back then the restaurant was closed for renovations, but today we had lunch with a view.
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From the back deck of the restaurant we could see kayakers enjoying their time on the water.
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Next we passed by Bridge Bay where we camped just a month ago.
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Near Bridge Bay the road follows very close to the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. Tricia asked me to pull over, I thought she just wanted a few photos.
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No, it was just so she could dip her toes in the cool/cold water.
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We've seen this scenario several times in the last week. Guess who wins this standoff?
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That's right! Big Papa wins this standoff every time. Afterall, he's taller than the car.
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Soon we were setup in our campsite at Canyon Campground, complete with Starlink service.
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Again, we've got a large campsite with full amenities, just no hookups.
WEDNESDAY - Since we are staying in the Canyon Campground I felt it appropriate that we go out and explore what's nicknamed "The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River".
First a few facts: At 20-miles long and more than 1,000' deep it is truly a grand canyon. It is believed to be roughly 140-160,000 years old and contains two dramatic waterfalls, the Upper Falls at 109' and the Lower Falls at 308' are definitely the show stoppers in this area.
Today we are going to explore the canyon from the 1-way 3.5-mile long North Rim Drive, including a short side trip to see the view from Inspiration Point.
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Our first stop for the day is at trailhead for the "Brink of the Lower Falls Trail". It's described as a steep 3/8-mile 1-way trail with a 600' elevation drop.
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They should also mention that to return it's a steep 3/8-mile trail with a 600' elevation gain. It also said that it is not recommended for visitors with heart, lung or other health conditions.
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Well I'm not going to let a little warning like that stop me from seeing it. We have got to be getting close to the end by now, don't we?
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There it is, the end of the trail and the brink of the Lower Falls.
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The base of the Lower Falls and the Yellowstone River making it's way through the canyon.
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I see why they call it the "Grand Canyon" of the Yellowstone River.
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A still shot of the Lower Falls, but waterfalls always look better in video, don't they?
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The canyon walls are nice to look at, but it's time to start heading back up the trail.
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This is as far as I made it, you can still see the end of the trail below.
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At the next rest stop I was still feeling well enough to smile for the camera.
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Alright, now I'm feeling a little winded and my calves are starting to hurt.
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There's a long bench here people, doesn't anyone else need a break?
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Don't talk to me! We're only halway up the trail and my legs hurt!
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They don't even have benches anymore. No worries, this rock will do just fine!
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Ah, a leaning post. If they tie up horses here I want a ride out.
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Now here's a rock with a view!
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This one's not too uncomfortable, at least this rock has arm rests.
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Alright, this isn't fun anymore. My knees hurt and I think it's time to call a tow truck.
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That's how far we've come since starting this uphill climb.
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We've made it to the fork in the trail. It seems everyone wants a rest here. This is where you decide on the way down if you want the short steep trail to the Lower Falls or the longer level trail that goes to the Upper Falls.
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Almost to the top now, but I need one more rest before I push to the end.
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Now look how far we've come!
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These are the views from the Overlook in the parking lot. Maybe this should have been enough to satisfy my needs?
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When you see a redish streak running down the canyon wall it generally means there is a thermal vent spewing out steam and minerals from deep in the canyon floor.
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Just a gravel pullout on the side of the road with a view.
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Here we are at Lookout Point with a more straight on view of the Lower Falls.
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Looking downriver from Lookout Point is not a bad view either.
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Here we are at the Grand View observation area.
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Now we've moved on to our last stop, Inspiration Point. I'd say that lone tree is pretty inspiring, surviving where no one else is.
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There were a few dozen steps to get down to the lower observation area...
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...but it was pretty much worth it for the view.
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There were three different Overlooks, each with a slightly different view.
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THURSDAY - Just like yesterday we are going out to explore the canyon.
We have one more stop on the North Rim before we head out to the South Rim to finish out the day.
The North Rim stop we didn't do yesterday is the hike out to the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail. I hardly can call it a trail, it's only a little over 600' long and drops in elevation about 35' at the very end. Nothing like the grueling hike we did yesterday to the Brink of the Lower Falls hike.
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Here is the 35' drop in elevation I was talking about.
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This is the Yellowstone River as it approaches the 109' Upper Falls.
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Nearly back to parking lot level here, so you can see how easy the trail is.
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Can you spot those people on the opposite canyon wall?
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Here, I'll make it easier for you. That's where we're headed next.
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First we'll have to cross over the Chittenden Memorial Bridge to the South Rim.
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The Yellowstone River as it approaches the bridge.
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I call this video, "Water Under the Bridge".
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We've moved on down the road to the Upper Falls Viewpoint now.
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Most people never even bother to look to the right when viewing the Upper Falls. Crystal Falls is certainly the most overlooked waterfall in Yellowstone.
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We've now made it to our final stop for the day, Artists Point.
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The canyon walls here look like a palette of pastel natural colors.
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These "stains" on the walls are steaming thermal vents, but I've already explained that.
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Aside from the canyon walls there's a nice view of the Lower Falls from here.
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There are also dozens of "fins of rock" jutting out into the canyon.
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Sometimes they're hard to see without the proper background color to help.
We are not quite done yet with our activities here in Yellowstone National Park.
OUR FINAL NIGHT IN YELLOWSTONE
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We left for our dinner reservations a little bit early, just in case we ran into this guy less than 10-yards from the roadway causing what they affectionately call a "bison jam" with the traffic.
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The Lake Yellowstone Hotel opened for business in 1891. It has the destinction of being the oldest lodging facility in the entire National Park Service.
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We had dinner reservations for 5:15PM in the Hotel's Dining Room.
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Our modest sized dinners were delicious and the Huckelberry Ginger Beer was too.
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Tricia ordered herself the Flat Iron Steak Frites. It's an 8-oz. Flat Iron Steak, French Fries tossed in Parsley and Parmesan, served with Chimichurri Sauce and an Herb Aioli.
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My dinner was the Skuna Bay Salmon. It was accompanied by a Fennel and Citrus Salad, Roasted Baby Bakers and Green Beans.
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Shortly after dinner we climbed onboard one of Yellowstone's Yellow Buses for a 2-hour Sunset Tour of the North Shore of Lake Yellowstone.
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These Yellow Buses are part of the same fleet that Glacier N.P.'s Red Buses come from. These buses have also been refurbished with automatic transmissions and a Ford V8 engine.
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We stopped at this beautiful lake to get out and stretch our legs.
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Then our tour took us to the top of the 8348' Lake Butte Overlook to watch the sunset.
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Looking south we could see the Grand Teton peaks fading away with the sunlight.
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Looking east we could see the results of the 2012 wildfire that swept through Yellowstone.
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But the real show was happening in the west.
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Our entire bus group watched in awe as the sun set over Yellowstone Lake.
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GOING,
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GOING,
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GOING,
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GONE!
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We did get a surprise viewing of a few elk out in the field on the way back to the Hotel.
Looking for our Visited States Map and Data? How about our State by State Bucket Lists or Visited Campgrounds List? If so, click on the sign below to be taken to our other website.
The photos didn't start right at the Entrance Gate, because this was all there was to see.
That all changed when the road started paralleling the Lewis River.
There was even an updated bridge built where Lewis River crosses under the road.
We stopped in at Grant Village where we camped on our first visit two years ago.
From the back deck of the restaurant we could see kayakers enjoying their time on the water.
Next we passed by Bridge Bay where we camped just a month ago.
Near Bridge Bay the road follows very close to the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake.
No, it was just so she could dip her toes in the cool/cold water.
We've seen this scenario several times in the last week. Guess who wins this standoff?
That's right! Big Papa wins this standoff every time. Afterall, he's taller than the car.
Soon we were setup in our campsite at Canyon Campground, complete with Starlink service.
Again, we've got a large campsite with full amenities, just no hookups.
Our first stop for the day is at trailhead for the "Brink of the Lower Falls Trail".
They should also mention that to return it's a steep 3/8-mile trail with a 600' elevation gain.
Well I'm not going to let a little warning like that stop me from seeing it.
There it is, the end of the trail and the brink of the Lower Falls.
The base of the Lower Falls and the Yellowstone River making it's way through the canyon.
I see why they call it the "Grand Canyon" of the Yellowstone River.
A still shot of the Lower Falls, but waterfalls always look better in video, don't they?
The canyon walls are nice to look at, but it's time to start heading back up the trail.
This is as far as I made it, you can still see the end of the trail below.
At the next rest stop I was still feeling well enough to smile for the camera.
Alright, now I'm feeling a little winded and my calves are starting to hurt.
There's a long bench here people, doesn't anyone else need a break?
Don't talk to me! We're only halway up the trail and my legs hurt!
They don't even have benches anymore. No worries, this rock will do just fine!
Ah, a leaning post. If they tie up horses here I want a ride out.
Now here's a rock with a view!
This one's not too uncomfortable, at least this rock has arm rests.
Alright, this isn't fun anymore. My knees hurt and I think it's time to call a tow truck.
That's how far we've come since starting this uphill climb.
We've made it to the fork in the trail. It seems everyone wants a rest here.
Almost to the top now, but I need one more rest before I push to the end.
Now look how far we've come!
These are the views from the Overlook in the parking lot.
When you see a redish streak running down the canyon wall it generally means
Just a gravel pullout on the side of the road with a view.
Here we are at Lookout Point with a more straight on view of the Lower Falls.
Looking downriver from Lookout Point is not a bad view either.
Here we are at the Grand View observation area.
Now we've moved on to our last stop, Inspiration Point.
There were a few dozen steps to get down to the lower observation area...
...but it was pretty much worth it for the view.
There were three different Overlooks, each with a slightly different view.
Here is the 35' drop in elevation I was talking about.
This is the Yellowstone River as it approaches the 109' Upper Falls.
Nearly back to parking lot level here, so you can see how easy the trail is.
Can you spot those people on the opposite canyon wall?
Here, I'll make it easier for you. That's where we're headed next.
First we'll have to cross over the Chittenden Memorial Bridge to the South Rim.
The Yellowstone River as it approaches the bridge.
We've moved on down the road to the Upper Falls Viewpoint now.
Most people never even bother to look to the right when viewing the Upper Falls.
We've now made it to our final stop for the day, Artists Point.
The canyon walls here look like a palette of pastel natural colors.
These "stains" on the walls are steaming thermal vents, but I've already explained that.
Aside from the canyon walls there's a nice view of the Lower Falls from here.
There are also dozens of "fins of rock" jutting out into the canyon.
Sometimes they're hard to see without the proper background color to help.
We left for our dinner reservations a little bit early, just in case we ran into this guy less than
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel opened for business in 1891.
We had dinner reservations for 5:15PM in the Hotel's Dining Room.
Our modest sized dinners were delicious and the Huckelberry Ginger Beer was too.
Tricia ordered herself the Flat Iron Steak Frites.
My dinner was the Skuna Bay Salmon.
Shortly after dinner we climbed onboard one of Yellowstone's Yellow Buses
These Yellow Buses are part of the same fleet that Glacier N.P.'s Red Buses come from.
We stopped at this beautiful lake to get out and stretch our legs.
Then our tour took us to the top of the 8348' Lake Butte Overlook to watch the sunset.
Looking south we could see the Grand Teton peaks fading away with the sunlight.
Looking east we could see the results of the 2012 wildfire that swept through Yellowstone.
But the real show was happening in the west.
Our entire bus group watched in awe as the sun set over Yellowstone Lake.
GOING,
GOING,
GOING,
GONE!
We did get a surprise viewing of a few elk out in the field on the way back to the Hotel.
