Yellowstone 

Our time in Yellowstone was so different then our time in Glacier.  In Glacier we needed to hike some distance to the most beautiful spots. We also saw a lot more animals.  In Yellowstone - there are pull offs constantly to see things and go on a short path.  Not that one is better or worst - just very different which we didn't expect.  We had to go see the usuals, of course  - Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Springs.  We still did do a few hikes - a wonderful hike to Fairy Falls then up to the overlook for the Grand Prismatic.  We also did a lot of walking around various geysers and springs.   We drove through Lamar and Hayden Valleys and saw all the bison herds.   We both really loved the Little Grand Canyon area.  

The landscape here is what is so striking.  One minute you are in the bluffs/cliffs, the next a meadow with a cool stream running through, then hot springs are steaming everywhere, suddenly massive rock formations and then out of nowhere - the white massive area of Mammoth Springs.  Even with the hot springs and geysers - each one is so different.   The land is constantly changing.  I was surprised to read that in the 5 days we were there - there were 10 earthquakes.  We didn't feel them but one big one would change this park forever - again - like it did in the 1950s.  One can easily see how fragile and unstable certain areas are.  

We went to the city of Mammoth Springs and saw the elk herd that lives there.  We asked why they stay in the city and the ranger told us they have learned that city means no predators AND the lawns have to be maintained so there is always green grass for them (except winter of course).  They are usually pretty doscile and tolerate the crowds but they have been known during rutting season to attack people or even vehicles going by!  Unfortunately the females also are highly aggressive in the spring when an unsuspecting tourist may come across a baby she's hidden under a tree or even in a doorway ... but the mother is watching and comes charging back.   We did finally see some out in the wild areas during our travels which was admittedly more satisfying!

Oh and we saw a female moose out in the open trotting in an field between Glacier and Yellowstone!  

Interesting Fact:  The entire Yellowstone Park is inside an active supervolcano!  The last time it erupted was 640,000+ years ago. The Yellowstone eruption area collapsed upon itself, creating a sunken giant crater or caldera 1,500 square miles in area. The magmatic heat powering that eruption (and two others, dating back 2.1 million years) still powers the park’s famous geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots.  It is watched very carefully for signs of increased activity because if it does erupt again - it will take out most of the western US.  When we were there - 10 earth quakes were recorded but all so small we never felt them.   

September 2021