Yellowstone in One Day-Not Recommended for the Slow Natured at Heart

How lucky can we humans be in this day and age to have the ability to visit acres and acres of gorgeous scenery in one day! Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating it, as I would have liked to stay for days in order to fully learn and appreciate the environment. But with our cars and high speed cameras, we are able to sight see a lot in the span of twelve hours! 

At a fork in the visitor central trail system, there is a path through nearby woodlands that leads to a high viewpoint overlooking Old Faithful. This is Geyser Hill where we caught the one more eruption of Old Faithful from a high vantage point.  The new Old Faithful Visitor Center is directly behind the geyser, the lodge is to the right. 

Our visit was timed just about right considering we only had this day. There was a little snow storm coming and as such the Park Service had made the announcement that all roads would be closed as of November 8. This morning had started out stunningly blue, as the day wore on, the clouds closed in and by night fall we knew we had to get out of the park and find a place to hunker down. 

Our drive out the west entrance was just as exciting at the ride in from the east. More mountains, buffalo, and elk, and sumptuous creek beds all made for a nice exit. 

Sadly, we did not go to Mammoth on this trip. Just leaves a reason to stop in again on our way back to Kansas to retrieve more of our belongings. 

With the closing of the park to automobiles, the east and west entrances were ghost towns at this time of year. Amazingly, the entrances are not flanked by huge cities. They are very small communities keeping the park low key. As I mentioned before, some of my relatives spent a lot of time growing up in the western states. They were there from the 1800's through the 1960's. The picture below reminds me of looking at my grandfather's photo albums. His mother had a Kodak Brownie and that got him hooked on photography (and his work at Eastman) and he got me hooked. Grandpa narrated his photo albums to me whenever he had a chance. The photos were aged just so and full of history. When I view my photo in this style, I can imagine Yellowstone the way he would have seen it when he and his mother photographed and painted the west. (only after taking the photo, grandpa would have taken the elk for dinner! A necessity in the early part of the 20th century.)

The relatively low lack of development is a nice observation for an eco-conscience person, however, for a person looking for a place to sleep, its a challenge. Like with eastern Wyoming, even the RV parks are closing up for winter. As such, we kept driving to Idaho Falls. Another family memory is Uncle Andy saying he would have been traveling this area on foot with a bed roll on his back. Then he'd just plop down anywhere he wanted to rest!  We're such poofs!

Yellowstone in November, one Great Reason for Leaving Late for Alaska

As we entered Yellowstone, we felt the temperature dropping. Light snow patches were still on the side of the road in the shade. All the roads were clear at this point, but there was a snow storm coming in from the west tonight so we would be quite lucky to make it through on this quiet Sunday. The road was not crowded at all so we felt at ease toddling along at our 40 mph gait. When we stopped at the entrance, the thermometer in the car read 30 degrees. A bit of a chill compared to days past. No matter, its Yellowstone! And a grand old National Park entrance it is.

Ken and I had purchased our National Parks Pass in Cheyenne at Sierra Trading Post. We forgot to get them earlier at an REI, thank goodness the other store had them too-of course they can be ordered on-line if you are in one place long enough to receive them http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm ). I highly recommend the pass as the cost will recoup about four entrance fees. Since we were making a long trip, expecting to see other national parks, and moving to the state with the largest national parks, we knew this pass was a must. 

The day could not have been more perfect. Except for our breakfast on the road, the weather was spectacular! It had been perfect for us thus far, we were so grateful. Our improper breakfast on the go was almonds, dried cherries, granola bars, and a fresh apple from my sister’s house. Not bad at all–an absolute must for long distance driving is quality road food. It can be supplemented with low quality junk food from time to time, but to keep alert and healthy, eat well! Also, always travel with one or more water bottles. 

When I say it could not have been more perfect, take note in every way: weather, time of day, and especially the LACK OF TRAFFIC! Anyone thinking of visiting Yellowstone has heard of the overcrowded conditions that have been developing for decades. I am sure many families dread the idea of going in summer and having to wade through lines of cars on the two lane roads. All of the moms, dads, students, anyone considering this National Park, give yourself permission to arrange your trip in the fall. I imagine, if you come just a bit sooner than we did (as my friend Christine’s website acknowledges http://www.ylwstone.com/) fall is gorgeous. On this November trip, we did not feel any of the pressure drivers could feel as part of a long snake line of cars-adding stress to driving and reducing the pleasure of the scenery. There are ample pulls-offs along the road and we took advantage of them in order to breathe in the clean air and document the wonder. 

Though the birch and aspen are probably radiant in their fall yellows and oranges, the light bark of the tall thin trees against the deep blue sky was just as lovely. There had been a forest fire recently adding deep black char to the contrasting colors. The chill air with no breeze allowed the Steamboat Point to do just that, adding an air of mystery to the lake side. In the low wetlands along the lake, frost still topped the rushes and prairie grass. The glowing tawny color of the fall grasses made a great complimentary background to a single buffalo. One of my perennially favorite subjects, clouds, were on display as well. Light clouds, Yellowstone Lake, the steam pots, mountains, what more could a nature lover want? What, a coyote just trotting along the road. Ok, stop now! Its nature overload! 

Our visit would only last one day, but the impression will be limitless. Also, we experienced a range of weather for just one day. As we neared our departure, the clouds were rolling in. With all the different environments to see, I am splitting the visit into three segments and will post more photos. 

This is Yellowstone Lake. Cool weather shows off the steam points wonderfully. We entered at the east entrance and traveled south and west on the loop road toward Old Faithful.