starrs

Sorry. I posted that in the wrong thread.

starrs

topping with a note for Yellowstone drive times
From July 1st posts -

Breakfast at Flagg Ranch south of Yellowtone
Lunch at Canyon
Afternoon stop at Mammoth
Dinner at Old Faithful
stopping at almost every stop along the way

The afternoon would be spent driving from Canyon to Mammoth and back down to Old Faithful. Not a lot of stops along the way, but we didn't get to Old Faithful until after 6. (I promise I'll find the map with the actual times on it).

Now, Mammoth was my #1 wish list item.
I can't tell you how disappointed I was.
Mammoth Hot Springs was dead.
Nada. Nothing. Nothing at all flowing.
The Pickles had just been there and had a completely different experience.
I love Mammoth. In years past, I would drive into the park from Island Park, Idaho and spend hours at Mammoth.
I could not believe how dead/dry/lifeless the springs were.

We stopped in town first (for bathroom breaks), walked into the lobby of the hotel, visited the visitor center (which I enjoyed very much), smiled and pointed at the elk hanging out in town (because of the watered grass) and then I guided us to a parking lot in the middle of the hill.

We arrived at Minerva Terrace - and nothing. No water. No steam. No color. No "life" at all. I found it very, very sad.
Here's a youtube link to what it usually looks like -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqaduXkPPqk

We walked up further and all four of us were discouraged. Three were wondering why the heck I wanted to stop here. We were about to turn back when I asked someone and there was some flow further up "just past that tree". We all continued on...and there was a trickle of water coming down and a tiny bit of color. I knew that the features were constantly changing, but never expected that dramatic a change.

Back in the car on the way to Old Faithful -

Traffic slowed down just past the sign for the Grizzly Lake trail. A woman was walking past the parked cars, and if she were a ranger she was off duty. A grizzly was up on the hillside. Thanks to my magic camera I got some good shots.

When it was time for another rest room stop, we stopped at the ranger museum -
http://ypf.convio.net/site/News2?pag...rticle&id=5205
I was told it was a decent restroom for an "outpost" restroom.
I loved the tiny Museum of the National Park Ranger. It took less than 5 minutes to walk through.
From the parking lot we saw a regal buffalo resting creekside.
A little bit further down we saw a mama buffalo with her baby.

And then, before we got to Old Faithful we found the Summer Construction Zone. The wait was 20 minutes (in both directions - that afternoon and the next morning). You turn off your car with windows rolled down and enjoy the scenery (and hopefully the company inside the car) as you wait.

Finally, at 6:30 - the Old Faithful Inn!

2 + 22 + 21 + 16 miles = breakfast to lunch
12 + 21 + 21 + 14 +16 miles = lunch to dinner
with a few stops along the way
About 3/4 of the figure eight of Yellowstone roads
Schedule more time if you want to actually get out and do some hiking in the park