America's Wonderland - Upper Loop (Mammoth to Canyon)

After seeing Mammoth Hot Springs in the morning, we drove along the Upper Loop road toward Canyon.  We made a couple of pit stops along the way.  The road has these convenient pullouts where you can stop and avoid stopping traffic as the road is only two lanes.  And there's only one road.  If someone has spotted an animal and the pullout's full already, people just get as far off the road as they can.  It's pretty crazy!

Our first stop was to take the short hike to Undine Falls.  We passed two other groups on the trail, but only briefly and in the opposite direction.

While on the trail, we kept hearing this strange chirping noise.  That's the best way to describe it - almost like a small bird.  Our heads swiveled back and forth trying to pinpoint the source, but we couldn't figure it out.  Then we spotted this animal:

In talking to some other tourists and consulting the animal guide on the back of the Yellowstone newspaper, we decided it is an uinta squirrel.  They're pretty cute, and very shy.  We also spotted some deer not very far off the trail.  They were watching us more closely than we were watching them.

I don't think I can count how many times I had A pull over so I could get out and take a picture.  The landscape alone was gorgeous, and then sometimes we were lucky enough to spot an animal.

The restrooms at certain spots (not very close to each other) looked fancy, but they were just dressed up outhouses.

Our next stop along the way was the famous Petrified Tree.  Now, to set the record straight, there are many petrified trees in Yellowstone.  This one just happens to be the most accessible.  Some fun facts about this petrified tree:
     - The stump is 20 feet tall.  (That's almost four of me!)
     - It is a redwood tree and approximately 50 million years old. (That's 2 million times older than me!)
     - The tree turned to stone as silica from volcanic ash and mudflows entered the wood.
     - The bars are to keep the tourists out.  Apparently there used to be a second tree close to this one and it was picked apart by people over the years.  (For shame!)

Along the side road to the Petrified Tree we spotted our first bison!  Or buffalo.  It's up for debate which name they should actually be called.  They were pretty far away from us, but an older couple assured us we would see others much closer.  This was the beginning of my slight obsession with the shaggy buffs.

We continued on the drive and pulled over in a hurry.  There were about 25 cars lined up along the road and a park ranger present, which is the winning combination for spotting an awesome animal.  Sure enough, there was a black bear not too far off the road.  Unfortunately it went out of view too quickly for pictures, but it was pretty cute.

The plan for lunch was to eat at the Yellowstone Picnic Area.  Appropriate, no?  When we got close to the turnout, we saw another group of cars and people standing on the road shoulder.  There was an animal we hadn't seen yet hanging out.  Can you spot him?

 Sure enough, a bighorn sheep was saying hello!

After lunch, we hiked the aptly-named Yellowstone Picnic Area Trail.  I had read it was decently popular, but we didn't see one single other person the entire two hours.  It's amazing how if you go just about half a mile (or two) off the road, you'll feel as if you have the whole park to yourself.

We made sure to acknowledge the bear warning sign.

We opted not to buy the expensive bear spray.  I'm glad we didn't, because we were never in any danger, and all the park rangers we met recommended against it.  No need if you're cautious, apparently.  (We also didn't do any back-country hiking and camping; that situation is different.)

The huge glacial rocks impressed us. (A didn't realize how big it really was until he saw the picture!)

We made a new friend along the trail. He's called a yellow-bellied marmot, and according to the experts they like to sunbathe on top of their rock homes.  As long as we gave him some distance, he didn't mind us at all.

We also found another sheep.

To our surprise, neither the marmot nor the sheep seemed to mind our presence in the slightest.  (I'm looking at the marmot.)

The trail runs along the rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Sometimes right along the edge, and it's a long way down a steep hill.  The view was well worth it.

Once we reached the spot where the trail split off to a longer hike, we turned back.  But first we had to add our own contribution to a sort of monument we've found on most hiking trails.

On the way back, we spotted something we'd overlooked before.  Just further proof this trail isn't hiked very often.

(Yes, they were real bones.  I won't go into much detail, but let's just say there was some other "stuff" still attached.)

After the hike we drove down to Tower Falls which is a waterfall flowing between volcanic spires.

There was a great view of the Canyon, and we also discovered a cute message left by a tourist. (I don't encourage graffiti, but at least this one was sweet!)

We spotted where we had taken the trail earlier.  Very far across the Canyon, and very high up!

See the top of the trail and the river far down below?

There is a general store in Tower, so we dropped in for a quick look around.  A decided to try on some hats to fit in with the locals.

The drive continued through switchbacks climbing up the mountains where we were surprised to find tons of snow!  It was only a few days from the start of summer, but the high altitude keeps the snow around longer.

See all the snow-covered mountains?  Also, you can see the Canyon in the middle of the frame.

We arrived at Canyon and checked into our cabin.  Most of the accommodations inside the park can be described as "rustic".  This meant we had the bare minimum of furniture, no phone, no television, and almost no hot water.  (We learned we had to run the water for about 15 minutes before it would be less than icy.)  But we wanted to stay in the actual park, and it was a fun experience!

Dinner that night was at the Canyon Lodge Dining Room.  I wouldn't recommend it.  (I'll explain if you ask.)  We were amused by the name of one of the local brews.  (The second word is "Creek" if you can't make it out.)

All in all, a very fun first day in Yellowstone! 

Next up: Exploring the Canyon area.