Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin

Oct 13th 2008 — Yellowstone — 8:39 pm

Saturday in Yellowstone they had closed all but the northernmost road from Mammoth to Tower due to the snow. I really wanted to check out some geothermal stuff farther south, but the prognosis for road openings Sunday looked grim.

We headed towards Upper Mammoth Terrace with the plan of going for a walk around there (this area is open year-round) and hoping that the road south would be opened up by the time we were done. (This was about 11 am)

We arrived at the parking area to see the familiar sight from Saturday of the ranger’s Jeep parked in front of the barricade across the road with a half dozen or so tourist cars parked nearby. Hilary’s plan was to go over and talk to the ranger about when they might open the road.

No sooner did I turn the engine off and get out did we hear someone in an excited tone say something about “saddling up” and see the waiting people file into their cars as the ranger proceeded to open the gates.

We headed through the gate and south on a newly plowed and sanded road through pine forests covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

It was one of those moments where everything works out and you can’t help but think the universe made it happen just for you.

frozen-steam-trees roaring-mountain1 norris-geyser-basin-11 norris-geyser-basin-2 norris-geyser-basin-3 norris-geyser-basin-41

1 Comment »

  1. This story is wonderful. and wonderful pictures too!

    Comment by reba — October 15, 2008 @ 12:17 am

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