Two miles northeast of Yellowstone lake, away from tour buses, commerce, and strife, is a vast open meadow, interrupted by mounds, cut and carved by meandering streams. Pale grasses wave in the breeze, and the sun and sky are forever. I’m prone in the tall Buffalograss and sedge, pale yellow for fall, crunching an excellent apple. After spotting solitary bison ringing the buttes and valleys around me, I noticed a lone wolf scampering in a wide arc about a quarter mile away, the black tail easy to spot in the immense, pale, and lovely grasses covering the valley . Though the black wolf occasionally passes the odd bison laying in the grass, they ignore each other. The wolf travels quickly, stops frequently, and, like me, seems to have no other purpose than to be in the certain serenity of the Pelican Valley. All around the valley, elk bugles echo, warnings or calls to battle. Loud and close, eerie howls from packs of wolves arise, punctuated by barks, responses from unknown rivals far away, and the eye is drawn to the tree-lined edge of this massive haven. Distant black predators are spotted – two, then ten, moving along the edge of the forest. Distant, yet closer than I have ever experienced. Call and return, motion and stillness, prey and predator, sun and grass. That’s my perfect Yellowstone day.
Eager to begin a Yellowstone Visit.One of the many terrific hikes in Yellowstone. Ice Lake to Little Gibbons Falls.Sunny Meadow – worth the walk.No-name mud pots – These occur frequently, along with other geothermal features, along the hiking trails. While hard to capture, the best part of these is the deep, syncopated burbling sounds they emit.Old Faithful – View from observation point about 2/3 mile away.Geyser on the Queen’s Laundry trail.Norris Geyser Basin –Fairy Falls – a favorite because we saw this one from across the valley the day before.More Fairy FallsMore Fairy FallsMan & Elk – A great way to view wildlife of all varieties while driving along park roads is to watch for spotters & photographersSteamy valley view – on the return from Queen’s LaundryNo-name pool – on the return from Imperial GeyserMidway Basin/Grand Prismatic – from the backside. This area fogged in both times we visitedFoggy morning in YellowstoneAlong the trail to Fairy FallsNo-name geyser, along the trail from Imperial GeyserPelican Valley – setting for A Favorite Yellowstone DayOne of many geothermal areas along hiking trails in the park, dangerous but accessible. Stick your fingers in!My Favorite Yellowstone DayYellowstone Lake – Near Fishing Bridge. 180 degrees and 400 yards from here, a GIANT grizzly was feeding on an elk carcass. The bear had been gorging on the elk for 5 days, according to a nearby ranger.
Hey Redus! 