The Hole Tourist: Yellowstone Fall 2011

The Morning Elk

On October 1st we went to Yellowstone for our end of seasons trip. We started the day before the sun came up and both the girls commented at the millions of stars as we tucked them away in the car before the sun rose. We left Jackson at 5:30 and made it nearly to Moran before the sun peaked over Sleeping Indian. It was amazing to see the sunrise from the northern side of GTNP, where we heard the bugles of Elk in the distance and even had a misty morning show of two bull elk snorting out of the woods. The first black Elk I have ever seen as well.

Shortly before 9 we started out on our first hike of the day, the Natural Bridge hike by the Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Its a three mile loop trail however a section of the trail was closed due to bear activity, So for us it was approximately 2 miles. We started from the trail head in the parking lot, a dirt trail that winds through the campground before twisting around the marine and towards the stem of the Natural Bridge Trail

On the Natural Bridge Trail

the path to the natural Bridges is partially pave and partially gravel and a very easy trail. The kids sprinted to the Bridge and up the switchbacks before we took a side path into the mouth of the Bridge. There is an interpretive board at the base of the Natural Bridge that compares the span of Landscape arch to to Yellowstone Natural Bridge. An Interesting comparison but the Beauty of this Arch is unique to its location. Arches has a delicate soft feel, this arch was rugged and gritty and perfectly unique to Yellowstone. The 'highlight' of this short hike was when a buffalo snuck out of the woods behind ME! while we were taking photos by the Marina. Everyone was amazing, the kids instantly and calmly moved behind the tree they were posing on and Kevin was prepped and ready with Bear Spray in case the beast decided we were unpleasant company. However he barley gave us a passing glance as he snorted and grumbled on his way. We finished out the Marina by exploring the docks and pier where we spotted ducks and fish!

Natural Bridge

For the inside perspective

We have a thing for Trees.

Sneaky beast!!

It was by far the most terrifying moment on a hike for me.

And he leaves us in peace.

The second and more difficult hike of the day was supposed to be the Lost Lake Loop behind Roosevelt Lodge, but when we arrived at the trail head there was a notice of trail closure due to "Dangerous Bear Activity" so we spun on our heels and headed back to the car for a regrouping and a new plan. We decided to finish the upper loop and headed over to Mammoth to complete the Beaver Loop Trail.

The Beaver Loop Trail starts between the Stone House and the Mammoth Terrace Boardwalk with a 0.7 mile climb up steep switchbacks before leveling out and eventually tapering down hill. It winds through open meadows and pine Forests, occasionally passing aspen stands, Until emerging on to a series of beaver ponds and dams. This hike was an array of seasons on display, the meadows were dry bristling grasses swaying in a summer breeze, while the pockets of pines hid the moist squishy dirt of Spring. And the Aspens painted with the brilliant and fleeting beauty of Autumn. This hike was moderately difficult for the kids. With a total round trip of 5 miles and weaving up and down the sides of the mountains at the beginning and end of the hike it pushed them all harder than they have ever been pushed. THEY ALL FINISHED with NO RIDES!! Be it we took nearly one hour of rest for lunch, but they did it on their own little feet. The Hike took about 3 1/2 hours not including lunch> So amazed and proud of my little hikers!