JUNE 11 YELLOWSTONE CANYONS

June 11  Yellowstone  Canyons

Today we decided to explore the eastern section of Lamar where the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Niagara of Yellowstone are. 

To get there we headed back through Mammoth, through Tower and on to Canyon.  Before Mammoth, the Lava Creek joins the Gardner River which in turns flows into the Yellowstone just outside the park near our RV park in Gardiner, MT.

We decided to explore some short trails from the main road over to the Gardner River , since we have driven past them for years without stopping.

Gardner River from Rescue Creek Trail 

Bridge over Gardner River on Rescue Creek Trail

Gardner River just after Lava Creek enters it, below Mammoth

Gardmer River below Mammoth Campground

Looking from near Mammoth Campground

Passing through Mammoth we at last saw some lady elks lounging around. This year there have been decidedly fewer of them, and they did not seem to bring their kids either.

Nearing Canyon we took a trail that meandered over a hilltop, past a couple of lakes,  through some thermal areas with mud pots and arid landscape,

CLEAR LAKE TRAIL, CANYON AREA

CLEAR LAKE

LILY PAD LAKE

and then traveled very close to the edge of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for multiple miles…in some places too close!

The last leg of the trail gave us spectacular views of the Falls first from afar and then continuing the walk until we were right next to them. 

The best part is most tourists were all congregated at a lookout called Artists Point (which we passed along the way) and the rest of the time we had all this beauty to ourselves.  Good deal!

Heading home we saw some elk, and then had supper at Snoopy and went to bed.