MIKE AND JESS' TRAVEL DIARY
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Trip
Day 6 - June 4 2022
Second day in Yellowstone! On our first day, we had driven past the famous Grand Prismatic but the parking lot and surrounding area was flooded with people. We got up early to hit that first in hopes of beating the crowds. Mike and I did the mile hike to get a bird’s eye view while our friends used the boardwalk to get an up-close experience. We were successful in beating a lot of the crowds, but unfortunately, the cold morning air reacting with the hot sulfuric water created huge plumes of white steam, blanketing the pool. Neither of us saw much of the pool. Oh well.
We continued north to Mammoth Springs! We explored the Terrace Loops and are so glad we did. The terraces were so cool they belong in an alien movie. The sulfur smell was a bit off-putting in this area, but the sights made it worth it.
We parked in Mammoth and got some snacks and ice cream before hitting the road for the Lamar Valley. Research had told us this was the best place to view wildlife in all of Yellowstone. Thousands of Bison (we like to pronounce it like Beeson for fun) grazing the valley and crossing the streets. Multiple times, people were pulled over with their gigantic 1,000 lens camera saying a bear was just barely in the clearing, but we did not see them. We paused for lunch on the side of the road where Bison were hanging out nearby (not too close thankfully).
We stayed in the Lamar Valley for a few hours and decided to pack it in for the long car ride home.
During the drive back, we got to see a momma and young Moose!
A bit further down the road was a momma Black Bear and her cub.
What a great day!