Yellowstone
Due to all the fires in Montana, we changed our route from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park. We stayed for a week and were able to explore most of the park and also crossed white water rafting off our bucket list
White water rafting was fun. The water was low as it was end of season with only class 1, 2, 3, and 4 rapids. Very easy and low key said our guide. We rafted for 9 miles down the Gallatin River. The first rapid was the Fluffy Bunny (class 1 easy peasy). All went well through the class 2 and 3 rapids. The class 4 rapids had more boulders , rocks and of course whitewater . We made it through the Boulder Garden , the Thumb of God and then came the grand finale Box of Rocks. We were almost through the Box when our raft hit a boulder under my seat and bounced me off into the river. Luckily our guide and Tom pulled me into the raft like a beached whale. Water was freezing but No injuries...you wear a helmet and personal floatation device Moral of story I will be sticking to raft floats and Fluffy Bunny rapids
The remainder of week was spent in the park Interesting facts and sites
*Yelllowstone is the first national park, established in 1872
*There are more geysers in Yellowstone combined than anywhere else in the world
*Yellowstone is a volcanic caldera
*Yellowstone is derived from an Indian name which translates into yellow rock. Yellowstone Grand Canyon has yellowish limestone mountains
*in the beginning the US Army administered the park. They built Ft yellowstone which still stands. In 1916 the National Park Service was formed and took over the parks administration
*There are 4 main thermal features
* Geyser- natural spring which erupts and shoots water into the sky. Old Faithful is the most famous erupting every 90 minutes
* Natural Springs- similar to a geyser but no spraying water eruptions We took the Fairy Falls hike and were able to get a spectacular photo of the Grand Prismatic Spring the brilliant colors are caused by the bacteria in the water. Further north in park at Fort Yellowstone there is Mammoth Hot Springs. The thermal water rises through the limestone and creates chalky white terraces. Take the hike up the stairways to see all these formations and a great view of Fort Yellowstone ...yes we made it to top (spectacular view)
*Fumarole- steam vents seen throughout the park
* Mud pots - sulfuric acid mixes with rock forming a clay which mixes with steam and ground water to form bubbling rolling pots of mud
* The Continental Divide runs through Isla Lake causing the water to run in 2 different directions
I wish I had taken geology in school to better understand theses thermal dynamics. Suffice it to say Yellowstone is one of the worlds wonders.
Final note the park is crowded and you will have to drive an hour or more to reach the various attractions. I would recommend coming in May before school is out and if at all possible DO NOT come on a holiday weekend.
White water rafting was fun. The water was low as it was end of season with only class 1, 2, 3, and 4 rapids. Very easy and low key said our guide. We rafted for 9 miles down the Gallatin River. The first rapid was the Fluffy Bunny (class 1 easy peasy). All went well through the class 2 and 3 rapids. The class 4 rapids had more boulders , rocks and of course whitewater . We made it through the Boulder Garden , the Thumb of God and then came the grand finale Box of Rocks. We were almost through the Box when our raft hit a boulder under my seat and bounced me off into the river. Luckily our guide and Tom pulled me into the raft like a beached whale. Water was freezing but No injuries...you wear a helmet and personal floatation device Moral of story I will be sticking to raft floats and Fluffy Bunny rapids
The remainder of week was spent in the park Interesting facts and sites
*Yelllowstone is the first national park, established in 1872
*There are more geysers in Yellowstone combined than anywhere else in the world
*Yellowstone is a volcanic caldera
*Yellowstone is derived from an Indian name which translates into yellow rock. Yellowstone Grand Canyon has yellowish limestone mountains
*in the beginning the US Army administered the park. They built Ft yellowstone which still stands. In 1916 the National Park Service was formed and took over the parks administration
*There are 4 main thermal features
* Geyser- natural spring which erupts and shoots water into the sky. Old Faithful is the most famous erupting every 90 minutes
* Natural Springs- similar to a geyser but no spraying water eruptions We took the Fairy Falls hike and were able to get a spectacular photo of the Grand Prismatic Spring the brilliant colors are caused by the bacteria in the water. Further north in park at Fort Yellowstone there is Mammoth Hot Springs. The thermal water rises through the limestone and creates chalky white terraces. Take the hike up the stairways to see all these formations and a great view of Fort Yellowstone ...yes we made it to top (spectacular view)
*Fumarole- steam vents seen throughout the park
* Mud pots - sulfuric acid mixes with rock forming a clay which mixes with steam and ground water to form bubbling rolling pots of mud
* The Continental Divide runs through Isla Lake causing the water to run in 2 different directions
I wish I had taken geology in school to better understand theses thermal dynamics. Suffice it to say Yellowstone is one of the worlds wonders.
Final note the park is crowded and you will have to drive an hour or more to reach the various attractions. I would recommend coming in May before school is out and if at all possible DO NOT come on a holiday weekend.
I'm a FULLY BUNNY too....You two are having so much fun, super cool. The pictures of Yellowstone are beautiful, I bet that was great to see in person. The weather looks nice there, pretty nice here also. Love all the pictures of the two of you....Sue
ReplyDeleteFLUFFY BUNNIES rule. Time to hit the gym tho....climbing and hiking sporadically is not enough to keep fit.
DeleteI ask my doctor every visit whether hiking a few times a year counts for my exercise. She has given up on me now and doesn't even bother to ask me if I'm getting my exercise.
DeleteYour pictures are beautiful. That's my favorite park. is the 3rd pic of the canyons?
Who knew that a box of rocks was more dangerous than the Thumb of God? �� I bet that water was cold too! Glad you're having fun, Yellowstone has so much to see and is so big.
ReplyDelete