Yellowstone 6/30/24

We took a "Circle of Fire" tour with Nate (a bunny dad from Michigan!) that took us around the lower loop of the 2-loop Grand Loop Road.

In addition to more thermal features, we visited and/or learned about Gibbons Falls, the volcano caldera within the park, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the pretty Lake Hotel and Yellowstone Lake (largest lake above 7000 ft), and the Continental Divide.

Yellowstone River's Lower Falls and the start of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

This hot spring at Mud Volcano area was aptly named "Dragon's Mouth". It's opening gurgled and belched steam.

After the tour, we were lucky to see Beehive Geyser erupt (less predictable but as impressive as Old Faithful) before getting sprayed by Old Faithful's eruption on our walk around "Geyser Hill".

Beehive geyser

Per my circle, the bison/elk aren't afraid to walk around the delicate and hot features

Bison with their calves on the way out

This buffalo posed so nicely with me!

We had a great dinner at The Buffalo Bar in West Yellowstone, Montana. Most of Yellowstone NP is in Wyoming. You cross into Montana ~ 3 miles before the west exit. We are staying in Idaho, which is ~9 miles further to the west. It was a bit confusing what state we were in at any time!