2nd day at Yellowstone

9/23/11

We started today with a hike at Yellowstone River Picnic area. The hike was a 4 mile loop that took us along a  ledge that overlooked the river about 5 to 8 hundred feet below. There were some really spectacular views. We saw a buffalo from a large distance but otherwise did not see much wildlife.

After the hike we spent a while trying to find a campground with space and finally decided on a place outside of the north entrance of the park located in Montana.

After setting up camp, we returned to the park to explore the swimmable hot springs at Boiling River. Here there is a remarkable site where people can bath in the hot tub like conditions where the scalding geothermal water mixes with the frigid river water.

While we were in the park, we also went through Mammoth Springs which is sort of like a small town on the northern edge of Yellowstone. At this time of year, the elk are in their rut and they descend upon Mammoth Springs to gather. Apparently within the town they are out of the reach of predators such as wolves. As we were passing through, we saw a magnificent bull following a cow through the middle of the town. It was a very bizarre scene.

At camp site we met a Harvard trained particle physicist turn journalist for NPR. He could not get his stove to work so we offered our fire.