With a 4-hour layover originally planned, we worked with Delta to get us onto a much earlier flight into West Yellowstone. Hooray for unexpected, pleasant surprises in our favor!
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We made it!
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DAY 1
With the newfound time having taken an earlier flight, we went straight to Yellowstone National Park to start exploring and squeeze in an afternoon's worth of adventure. This lovely group of female elk were the first to greet us.
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We stopped by Gibbon Falls, an easily accessible waterfall off the side of the road. (Many others would take a longer trek.)
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We were quickly introduced to one of the classic features of Yellowstone National Park - its hot springs. Yellowstone sits on top of a super-hot magma chamber that is so close to the surface that it heats up the water to boiling point. We couldn't believe that the water at the surface was hot enough to bubble and boil, just like water in a pot on a stove! (Jon discouraged me from throwing pasta in as I had wanted to, though.)
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We drove to Norris Geyser Basin for additional introductions to geysers and hot springs. Norris Geyser Basin is known for being the hottest, most acidic, and most dynamic geyser basin in Yellowstone, part of one of the world's largest active volcanoes. When we approached the basin from the parking area, we noticed excited rangers starting to sprint, followed by more and more and more visitors starting to run after them. Jon and I looked at each other, shrugged, and decided we ought to run too. (Even though we didn't have a clue what we were running to.)
We soon discovered that Steamboat Geyser, the world's TALLEST active geyser, nicknamed "Old Unpredictable," had just erupted- rocketing a column of scalding water 300 feet into the air (two to three times the average height of Old Faithful). It had last erupted 46 days prior in the middle of the night and 56 days before that, and we learned that odds had certainly been against our witnessing the drama.
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After the excitement of the major Steamboat Geyser eruption, we continued walking around the basin. There were bright, vibrant colors around many of the hot springs due to special bacteria that love hot water, creating a rainbow effect.
Cistern Spring |
Green Dragon Spring |
Emerald Spring |
Last known eruption: TODAY!! |
DAY 2
As we were on our way into the park on Day 2, we drove right by a bison walking alongside the road with us, like they do.
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Day 2 was focused on exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We first hiked up Mount Washburn straight uphill, literally, for 3 very long miles (with no shade) to see the Grand Canyon from above.
how it started |
wildflower carpet |
snow still on the trail |
natural heart in the distance |
reached the peak at 10,219 feet |
trail and canyon in the background |
The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the waterfalls and features within the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Upper Falls plunged so powerfully downstream that it made a rainbow effect in the air around it.
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Next was Crystal Falls and the surrounding streams.
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We visited "Artist Point," an overlook point with a gorgeous view of Lower Falls and a good length of the Grand Canyon.
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Ending the day with a bison selfie and a milkshake!
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DAY 3
I took myself on a walk early on Day 3 morning with a gorgeous sunrise.
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We visited Midway Geyser Basin with some more areas that exemplified the beautifully turquoise and other colorful waters of the hot springs.
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Blue Star Spring |
Rainbow Hot Spring |
We braved the crowds to watch Old Faithful, which we joked about it seeming underwhelming after the previous day's dramatic eruption.
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Jewel Geyser was just erupting as we were walking past. |
Shell Spring drained and filled as we were watching. |
Hike to Mystic Falls:
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We hiked up to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook to see the largest hot spring in the United States. It also had bright, vivid colors as a result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water.
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We ended our day and our time in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana at the Rodeo.
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DAY 4
We drove through Yellowstone Park to get to our next trip destination: Grand Teton National Park. On our first afternoon there, we drove up to Signal Mountain Summit and walked around Jenny Lake.
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Heading back to our lodge that evening, we passed another gorgeous member of the wildlife on the side of the road, minding his own business and helping himself to some evening vegetation.
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DAY 5
The next morning, we enjoyed one of the true highlights of the trip, a guided scenic raft trip down the Snake River. We had incredible views of the Teton mountain range and the most relaxing morning floating down the river with no other human or unnatural noise pollution.
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We passed by Elk Ranch Flats where herds of bison are often found in the flat valley. It was amazing to observe them, many of whom had babies. The massive mammals did what they wanted, stopped where they wanted, blocked traffic when they wanted; one even nursed in the middle of the road right in front of us.
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In the afternoon, we hiked around Taggart Lake. (Apparently, we missed a moose sighting by about 5 minutes, but that was the only disappointment of the trail.)
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We ended our day with a visit to Schwabacher Landing. We didn't know how to pronounce it but were grateful for the tip as it offered beautiful sunset views of the Teton Range reflected in the Snake River. (So beautiful, in fact, that we passed by several brides/grooms, families, and engagement photo sessions in addition to a music video being recorded.)
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14 (!) ducklings swam right by us on their way out to dinner. |
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DAY 6
Jon and I went horseback riding through the forest of Colter Bay. Jon rode "gas-powered" Wilma who was hilariously and disgustingly entertaining. And I had the privilege of riding Wilma's bestie Cupid, whose favorite spot was directly behind Wilma with her snout directly in the outlet of said gas.
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besties |
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loving on Wilma and Cupid after the 2-hour ride |
Grand Teton National Park reminded me of Mt. Rainier in the way that every single view is breathtakingly beautiful and it overwhelms with awe-inspiring power.
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DIY towel bear :) |
On our concluding hike of the trip, I finally accomplished my ultimate trip goal of seeing a bear. The park rangers weren't happy with just how close the beautiful cinnamon black bear was to the human activity area. (Not pictured: the time later that afternoon she walked within a few feet of our log cabin!)
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On our last evening in the Tetons, we relaxed at Swim Beach and enjoyed the setting sun over the mountains and water.
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DAY 7
Before we started the long trek home on our last day - and yes, by long, I mean landing at 3:30 AM after a 7-hour delay at our layover - we stopped by Oxbow Bend for some early morning, beautiful reflections of the Teton Range in the still water of Jackson Lake. Not bad for a final view.
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