Yellowstone (Day 3) - A Back Country Hike and the Canyon

Lisa picked a good one today - a Ranger led Back country hike starting at the Upper Falls of Yellowstone Canyon which led to Wapiki Lake.  This was a fantastic hike across the prairie with a view of Hayden Valley where we encountered the bison herd on the first day in the park.  We watched a Swainson Hawk pursue a swallow and learned about Bison wallows, witch’s broom and Old Man’s beard, a lichen that some of us ate.  

A Swainson Hawk

 We also learned about the  lodgepole pines that make up 80% of the trees in the park.  They have two cones, one of which releases it’s seeds at 121 degrees (after a forest fire) which is why it has survived countless fires.  This was, by far the best hike of the 


trip.  Our Ranger reminded us that the roadways, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants and shops only make up 2% of the entire park.  Getting out into the other 98% was truly a breath of fresh air.  The expanse of the back country was serene and breathtaking at the same time.

The Ranger attends to an injured little boy -
although "injured" may be too strong a word for a scrape on his knee.

Wapiki Lake

The Ranger points out Witch's Broom -
a disease that eventually kills the tree

Old Man's beard -
Graeme, Scarlett & Mommy were the only brave ones to eat some.

At the highest point of our hike with Hayden Valley behind us.

Today we actually found a vacant picnic table for lunch!

The top of the Lower Falls - 308' high.  Taller than Niagara Falls.

The Canyon

 Our afternoon hike was a shorter one - along the South Rim of the Canyon.  The Canyon reminds you why Yellowstone got it's name.  The walls are stunning.  We got to hear about Yellowstone's discovery and what it took to make this America's first National Park.  What an interesting history –


Truman Everett’s 37 days lost was very interesting and I didn’t know until this hike that Yellowstone was America’s first attempt at a National Park.  Glad it worked out!

The kids at Artist's Point

The Yellowstone River from Artist's Point

Scarlett & Annalise take in the view

All of us at Artist's Point

After the Canyon, we went back out to Hayden Valley to look for our elusive bear – no luck but saw more bison and an elk herd that kept growing as dark fell, trout feeding frenzies and bats!  I've never seen so many bats as they practically skimmed the water feeding on the same flies as the trout.  I have a great video of them and one that flies right next to Scarlett.  One flew so close to me that I could here the flutter of his wings.