We got up early again, although not at the crack of dawn, and headed back into the park. Today’s mission was to check out The other lesser points of interest that we’d seen along the way to the more popular spots. We stopped and wandered around the Upper Geyser Basin area. It was cloudy again, but nonetheless beautiful. I think it made the various colors of the polls and springs that much more radiant!
First on our route was the fountain paint pot area. This wasn’t as cool as the artist paint pots because the mud was more runny, but the other geysers and springs were pretty cool. As we were walking along this one area I heard this really weird noise, like two tones on a muted xylophone. I look around and this sound was apparently coming from this huge raven that was walking along the boardwalk. I guess this raven had learned that people aren’t so bad because it let me get really close to it before it skedaddled! Later on, as we were returning to the car, it was there again sitting on one of the fence posts. This time it le me get really close to it and I managed to get some nice shots of it before this old guy scared it off. It actually followed him and he ended up giving it some goldfish crackers. I think if there was a ranged there the guy would have been scolded but the raven clearly equated people with food which explained why it was so friendly.
Next we went to the Biscuit Basin. It was a pretty cool spot because we were able to see a pair of Osprey fishing in the Firehole River that was running along this area. Again, I tried to get pictures but it was a little too far away for anything stellar. At the end of the boardwalk in this area was a trailhead into the hills. We decided to take the one to Mystic Falls which was a couple of miles roundtrip. It was definitely worth the hike.
The area actually gets its name from the biscuit shaped rock formations on the hills that surround the basin area. There were a lot of really pretty wild flowers there and the scenery in general was really fantastic. As we were walking along this trail which was adjacent to a Firehole River feeder creek John looked up and saw this huge bull elk grazing across the creek on this grassy hill. I was able to get some really good shots of him before he casually grazed his way into the pine tree grove.
Further up the trail we arrived at Mystic Falls. I am not really sure why it is called that – there didn’t appear to be anything really mystic about it, but it was impressive nonetheless. It was really interesting how the water kind of terraced its way down to the main park of the falls. We climbed down a small rocky descent to get a better view that was unobstructed by trees.
As we turned around and headed back towards the trailhead, I slipped on some loose gravel and my hand hit this freaky fuzzy plant that stung my. It was the weirdest thing. I didn’t really hit it hard, but it seemed to almost inject me with something that stung like hell for a day and a half. I am not sure what it is, but it is a good lesson in leaving the native species well alone unless you are sure what you are touching!
After our hike we decided we would go back to the canyon and check out artists point, which I learned since first going there that it was THE spot for postcard perfect pictures of the canyon. When we arrived we had lunch in the cafeteria there and dined on buffalo burgers. If you have never had buffalo, I recommend it. Extremely lean and not as heavy feeling as hamburger.
Following lunch we rolled over to the point and I immediately saw the draw. You get a very unobstructed view of the lower falls and an even more incredible view of the canyon itself. The colors on the sheer walls of this canyon were astonishingly beautiful! Yellows, reds, pinks, creams, green – it was awesome! Even more incredible was the gorge that was the canyon. Very steep with loose rock and what appeared to be sand everywhere. One false step and you’d be a goner! We took a number of pictures at the point then decided to follow this trail along the canyon. It kept getting scarier and scarier so we didn’t wander too far. However, I did take a few chances near the edge to get some pictures which didn’t disappoint.
These yellow and red suculents were all over the geyser areas.
Not sure what these are but they were pretty and plentiful.
Red Squirrel bowing in our presence! LOL
Pretty purple flowers
Funny story...when I got to my knees and bent down forward to get in close to these small flowers, some hiker passing behind us asked John if I was okay - apparently from behind I looked like I was going to up-chuck or something! LOL
This is damage from Pine Bark Beetles. These pernicious bugs have apparently invaded the park and are destroying the lodge pole pines at an alarming rate. In order to kill these bugs, the temperature needs to drop below 20 degrees ferenheit for at least two weeks. However, because of global warming, the temperature haven't been dropping for that length of time so these things are getting out of control and not just in Yellowstone but everywhere there are lodge pole pines.
The only good Osprey shot I got while we were on vacation.
Mystic falls up close (relatively). Note the terraced way the water comes down from way up top.
Mystic Falls from a little further away.
A small patch of yellow flowers along the trail.
A tiny grove of plants growing in a little trail of run-off water.
Grand Canyon from Artist Point.
Look at the spectacular colors that paint this gorgeous canyon!!!
Look how steep this puppy is!!
...yea, really really steep!
Yea, its a BIG canyon!
This is the flower of a GIANT dandelion - like the size of a softball, really!
This is a DEEP spring!!
Run off from the DEEP spring.
A weird little geyser that kept filling up and emptying every couple of minutes, spruting all the while.
A good look at the inside of a more shallow pool.
Run off.
Another steamy pool.
This might be Celestine pool, but I can't remember. It was really pretty though!
Run off going into the Firehole River.
Morning steam.
Even more morning steam.
A gorgeous contrast of steam against the rain clouds as the sun came up.
Fungus and flowers.
Roger the Raven - he was our vocal and not so little buddy while we were at this particular area.
Fleurs in the woods.
This is that beautiful bull elk we saw on our hike - isn't he magnificent?!!
A small panorama of the breath taking beauty that we encountered on our hike to Mystic Falls.
This gigantic tree stump really caught my eye because it was as if someone pulled it out, shook off all of the dirt in meticulous fashion and gently laid it down!
We saw this gig boy as we were leaving the Grand Canyon area.
This is the biscuit-like rock formations that give Biscuit Basin its name.
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