Quick Tips:

This year (2003) the east park entrance was closed by fire for weeks. Check ahead so you're prepared if a route change is necessary.

Best Way To Get Around:

In any case, the wildlife--including eagles--are a major tourist stopper along the roads. Just look for the lines of parked cars. And the animals are remarkably unconcerned by the people. Some of the photos show how close to the cars they come. Just remember folks, these are wild creatures and BIG. Don't let their peaceful appearance lure you into close approach.

Take your time on the walk back up. Join your fellow climbers, some breathing hard, some just awestruck.

And don't forget camera and film.

Today at Sheepeater Cliffs picnic spot, the rock piles from broken crystals make a great playground for marmots.

The crowd and noise around me fade away. I feel like a child peering through a knothole in a cosmic fence at the creation of the world. Some of Moran's paintings and memorabilia can be found in the museum at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wooden walkways and stairs throughout the area allow viewing with dry feet. There's even a drive around the top part of the terrace area. The town itself has shops, a hotel, restaurants and a museum. The campground lies just outside town along the road to the north entrance to the park.

Our photos show several which are very accessible from the road. All are beautiful, peaceful, and fun to linger and watch. Surprisingly, most had good water flow despite the 2003 drought. There’s more information on many of the waterfalls is available at the website.

Gibbon Falls was right at the parking area on a heavily traveled road, so it was often crowded but very popular. We stopped several times and cruised by slowly once. That was when a coyote, unable to get off the steep walled road, trotted far down the highway, trailed to a long line of cars. Sorry, but no pictures by this (safe) driver.

It's been dry in the west for a long time, and the southeast entrance to Yellowstone was closed by fire during much of our two week stay. One day, Rt. 191 south of Big Sky was closed by fire also. So we had to detour on our return that evening. A small inconvenience, considering the fires in California this year. But you'll do well to phone ahead and check that your route is open if fire is a possibility.

But this entry is mostly a way to show the photos. And a visit here is a way to meet people from all over the world.

First time here? Take a left on the entry road where signs direct toward stores and restaurants. The parking area there lies midway between the geyser basin and the Inn. Access is more convenient, and parking is less likely to be crowded.

Further down the road, but visible from the Great Fountain seating, lies another smaller but more frequent geyser. Fun to watch while waiting for the hour long full performance of Great Fountain.

Look at the line of parked cars and campers in one of the photos. Plenty of parking, but have a care where. Wind sweeping from the west carried the geyser's steam over the road. It certainly obscured the view from the parked cars-- robably a little stinky too.

Want more detail on this geyser? See: http://www.geyserstudy.org/lgb_predicted.htm

Less dramatic but equally beautiful are the hot springs. Colorful algae thrive in the hot water, with color changing with temperature and pool depth. I wonder if the wildlife appreciate the beauty as much as we temporary visitors do? In any event, they must like the winter warmth delivered by steam heat from deep in the earth.