For my last day in the park, I headed north to Mammoth. Stopped by Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace. A whole hillside covered in calcium terraces.

Stopped outside the park at Gardiner, MT. It’s pretty much 30 gift/t-shirt shops with 10 eateries. Yeah, I bought a t-shirt and had lunch. Gotta support the local economy.

The road is one big loop through northern and N-central Yellowstone ending back at Canyon Village. The topography changes quite a bit. The West and South parts of the park are very much River meadows, while the north is more alpine. The east is more high plains/high desert.

I was still on the lookout for Moose, Elk, and Bighorn Sheep. No love here. I was in Yellowstone 20 years ago in September and the Elk were rutting. They had taken over Mammoth where they were lying down on all the parks and green spaces. This time: nothing.

I did see a Red Fox up in a hillside. He was staring in a hole for like 15 mins, and I missed when he did that leap/ponce at something. 😖 here is a blurry picture. (He was WAY up the hillside)

I have cameras with an actual telephoto lens, but I never think to bring one!

Traveling further, here is a very nice waterfall. Undine Falls.

And, I stopped to see the famous Tower Falls. It rates its own gift shop. The falls were just OK from the overlook, but there was a side trail that looked like it would have a better view. I joined more than a few people trudging almost a mile down to the River. (300-500 ft elevation loss) Aaaand, nope. No view. 🤬

Well, I’m done with YS. Monday I pack up and head back to Angel Creek CG in Utah.