Day 3

 Day 3 (Monday September 1) – Lamar Valley and Mammoth Terraces

This morning we did not even try to find a new place to eat, we were back at Tumbleweeds Bookstore and Cafe. Breakfast and lunch to go. Then off to Lamar valley. The sun was out and it was a nice drive.  Unfortunately, Black Plateau Drive was still closed (as a matter of fact, we never got to do down that road). Just before we got to trailhead, a lot of cars were parked on the side of the road.

We got to the trailhead or so we thought. Parked the car and packed the packs. We met a guy who said that a wolf was harassing an elk by chasing it into the water and not letting it out. We could not see anything and decided to continue on our planned hike.

Just before we got started, Philip said “where is our lunch?” Eh, lunch??? Well,  safe and sound in our motel room. We had several Cliff Bars with various flavors so off we went. The trail was fine the first 500 feet but soon after that, it got more and more muddy. The trail led us out to Lamar River where we saw more bison. At a safe distance even though one of them was somewhat close. More and more mud and we realized that we were probably NOT on the right trail.

We made it back to the road, walked a few yards and found the RIGHT trailhead. Did I mention before that the trails in Yellowstone are not marked very well? At least we walked on a trail this time around that did not turn into a muddy affair. Not sure if it was the RIGHT trail though.

We saw 3 sandhill cranes. First out in the wet land area and later flying over us. We also saw a hawk, most likely a red tailed hawk. After a couple of miles we saw a herd of bison on the trail ahead of us. With our bison experience from yesterday, we decided to turn around. Just before the parking area we spend some time walking along the river looking at rocks. Aase found a beautiful piece of petrified wood. But as  good National Park visitor she left it where she found it 😦

We were still without lunches and decided to drive towards Tower Junction to see if the resort was open for lunch. On the way, we passed the big crowd again possibly looking at the wolf and the elk. It was pretty much impossible to find a parking spot and we didn’t stop. We regretted that later and after that, every time we saw a crowd of people and cars parked along the road, we stopped to check it out.

After a failed attempt to try to buy food at Tower Junction, we drove back to Mammoth Hot Springs. Aase, Thorkild, and I did research at the ranger station while Philip went the 5 miles back to Gardiner to pick up the food.

What did we find out at the ranger station? The many deep holes we had seen in the ground both at Wraith Falls and in Lamar Valley were most likely badgers. We also found out that poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are not found in Yellowstone. Philip came back with the lunches and we enjoyed them very much. After eating we decided to start exploring Mammoth Hot Springs and Terraces.

Mammoth Hot Springs – I am out of words. What an amazing and spectacular place. The colors and shapes were almost unreal and I certainly understand how hard it was for the first explorers of Yellowstone to explain to others what they had seen.

We started out exploring the Lower Terraces followed by the Main Terrace. I am not exactly sure when the Lower became the Main. What I do know is that, the sun was out and the light was great. All over the geyser areas in Yellowstone including Mammoth Terraces, the ground if often fragile and it is possible to fall through the surface. Some places are very, very hot, other places are very acidic. Therefore miles and miles of board walks have been build all over the park and it is forbidden to step outside on the ground.

The first stop was Minerva Terrace. After that we looped around to see Palette Spring and Cleopatra Terrace. After that Mound and Jupiter Terraces. Mound Terrace was spectacular. Well they all were; what an amazing place.

We walked up lots of stairs which was probably the route to the Main Terrace. We saw Trail Springs and walked out to Canary Spring. Again a completely unreal experience. It is hard to believe that this very unique landscape is real.

It was getting dark and we walked back down towards the car. It was difficult to leave Mammoth.

As we got back to the car, we saw three elks eating grass across the road. Time for more pictures. Aase had to use the facilities and we thought it was far away so she and I jumped in the car. It was actually just a few hundred yards and the parking lot was swamped with elk. I dropped Aase off and parked the car. But we were separated by elk. I talked to a couple who were watching the scene. The woman is a wildlife person (she was off duty) and the said that it is really bad with all the elks in town because that will draw wolfs and bears into town too. It could become a real issue.

Back to the parking lot where a ranger chased the elks off by dragging a couple of shovels and Aase and I were reunited. Philip and Thorkild joined us shortly thereafter and we drove back to Gardiner.

We got back after dark and went out for dinner right away. This time to Two Bit Saloon and Grill. I forgot what we ate, I probably had a black bean burger, Philip may have gotten a portabella burger and I am drawing a blank with Aase and Thorkild’s dinners. We did have nice beer.

This was the last night in Gardiner. The motel was great, vegetarian options sparse but all in all a nice little town.