Day 2 at Yellowstone National Park

On our second day at Yellowstone we traveled from the Old Faithful area (the Upper Geyser Basin and Norris Geyser Basin) around the southern region of the park, past the enormous Yellowstone Lake and up to the Canyon area. We didn't just shot up there of course, because there is ton's to see along the way! We stopped for a couple mile hike to and from the Natural Bridge rock and we also checked out Yellowstone Lake and the old Yellowstone Lake Hotel as well as the Mud Volcano Cauldron area. We arrived in the Canyon region in the afternoon and did some hikes there -- Uncle Tom's Trail down a steep set of stairs along the side of a cliff to the bottom of a huge waterfall, and to Artist Point where you can get a gorgeous view of the waterfall from a bit of a distance. I've never been to the Grand Canyon in New Mexico, but the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is MASSIVE. We stayed in a little cabin in the Canyon area that second night in Yellowstone.

First a map of Yellowstone so you can get a feel for where we were, then pics from Yellowstone Day Two.



On our drives through Yellowstone NP we crossed the Continental Divide several times. Oh, and that elevation is pretty typical for YNP, the average is about 8000 although some areas get higher.



Carson's action pic at Shoshone Lake!





Then we stopped off for a brief hike to Natural Bridge. As we were leaving on the hike we hooked up with impromptu hiking buddies Brian & Christine, who were very cool companions!





There's the Natural Bridge above and behind us.



And of course, here I am looking deceptively calm whilst dangerously close to falling off the side of the cliff after hiking right up behind the Natural Bridge, which is behind us. Seriously, see how Carson is holding me tightly. I smiled for the pic, but I was thinking "oh sh1t, get me up quick!"



We stopped by Yellowstone Lake, the largest high altitude lake in the US. We also stopped in to warm up with some tea at the Lake Hotel, one of YNP's famous old lodges.





The Lake Hotel on Yellowstone Lake. Oddly, the clientèle here seemed very much older, just as our guidebook said it would.



LeHardy Rapids --



We stopped by the Mud Volcano area. There were bubbling mud pits and fumaroles



Grizzly Fumarole. Yes, I know this is a boring picture, but those little holes in the ground were whistling as they blew up super heated gases. It was awesome. This is actually very similar to the bubbling pools except that it's in a very dry spot so any water just comes out as a bit of steam.



Amazing grasses at Mud Volcano --



OK, the ridiculous thing is that this post is very long and yet I haven't even gotten to the day's main event -- The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, complete with massive waterfall and trail of stairs (part of Uncle Tom's Trail) along the side of a cliff leading down to near the bottom of the falls.





Still wondering why it's called "Yellowstone"? Hadn't even occurred to you to wonder? Ok, well wonder no more anyway --



Here are some shots from Artist Point.







Crazy colors in the volcanic rock of the canyon, it's really breathtaking. I didn't think it could get any better than all the geysers we saw on day one, but the hits just keep on coming at Yellowstone NP.



At the end of an incredible day we headed to our little cabin near the Canyon Lodge.



Which had a half-decent fireplace...



...where I partook of much Yellowstone Rogue Ale. Excellent.



WHAT A DAY!!!!