As the sun starts to set we begin our return drive to Jackson Hole and are treated to Aspens along Jackson Lake at peak fall color in golden light. For the next two nights, we will be switching from roughing it to living large. We have reservations at the Spring Creek Ranch, a mountain resort with outstanding views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole.
Our final destination for the day is a return to the Grand Prismatic Spring. This time we hike in from the back side for access to a higher vantage point. What I thought would be a quick 10 minute hike up a small hill turned into a one hour major climbing adventure that lasted for an hour. From the top of the easy hill I could see a higher peak with an even better view. Twenty minutes later from that summit I could see an even higher and more advantageous peak. Using my tripod as a walking stick and mustering every bit of strength I had left, I was able to reach what I feel is the ultimate location from which to photograph this spring. As I post this image, I think to myself that it was worth every ounce of effort. Jeanine, who was worrying about me while awaiting my return at the bottom, may have a different perspective.
A short hike to the Artist Paintpots reveals some of the most bizarre thermal features yet including bubbling cauldrons of various colors and sputtering mudpots. Although geysers are spectacular when they erupt, you have to wait around for them to do so. The features here are constantly doing something interesting.
We checked out the Upper and Lower Falls from both the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We preferred the views from Artist Point on the South rim.
Continuing counter-clockwise around the Grand Loop we come across a group of three River Otters frolicking in the Yellowstone River. A lady who was watching with us said she had been coming to the park for sixty years and never seen otters. We were as thrilled as she was to watch their antics as they wrestled with and tumbled over each other. After about a half an hour they retired to their den and we continued on our circuit.
Our next stop is the Mud Volcano area. Here I steel a kiss from my bride and capture our shadows in the rising sulfur mist. Credit to Jeanine for the idea for this photo.
Our success at locating wildlife in the Hayden Valley was limited to this lone coyote who was howling to his mate(s). Jeanine was speaking on the phone with Maya at the time and she was able to hear the call of the coyote clear back in Concord.
This morning we break camp before dawn and start driving towards the Hayden Valley, from my prior visit, a great location for wildlife observation. We witness a delightful sunrise over Yellowstone Lake as we approach Bridge Bay.
As the sun sets we spot a very nice bull elk on our way back to Grant Village. Our campsite is located near a large concentration of elk and we listen to their distinctive mating calls well into the early hours of the morning. Temperatures at night are in the low 30s making for perfect sleeping weather and we don’t bother to put the fly on the tent so we can enjoy the magnificent star field.
Our final destination for the day is the Grand Prismatic Spring. The colors are extraordinary but I am unsatisfied with the point of view. I locate a vantage point in the distant hills and make a mental note of the optimal shooting location. The perfect photo will have to wait for another day.
After returning to our car we drive from the GTNP to Yellowstone where we make camp at the Grant Village campground before continuing on to the Upper Geyser Basin. There we enjoy Old Faithful and a one hour walk before settling down to diner at the Old Faithful Inn.
Our return hike takes only 4 1/2 hours with a lunch break at this beautiful meadow. As we approach Jenny Lake we are delighted to learn that the boat shuttle people have decided to operate for an additional day since the weather is so nice. Although we were mentally prepared for that last 2 miles around the lake the boat ride was a very welcomed short cut.
As we begin our descent, our packs are a little lighter (less water and food) but our hike will be 2 miles longer because we will not have the benefit of the Lake Jenny boat shuttle. We are on the trail by 8AM and the weather once again is perfect.
Jeanine woke me up this morning insisting she heard a bear outside of our tent. After warming the bear repellent to ensure proper operation, I venture outside only to discover this bull moose, his mate, and their baby having breakfast next to the creek by which we are camped. As I approached for a better closeup, I made eye contact with the bull and decided that further advancement was ill-advised. The family continued to dine as Jeanine and I broke camp and had our own breakfast.