Ockey Family Adventures: Yellowstone Day 6

Kepler Cascades

We reluctantly checked out of the cabin in Mammoth and headed south. The goal was to get south out of the park with a minimal number of stops. We only took a few moments at Kepler Cascades, Lewis Falls, and Moose Falls because we love waterfalls so much. We were out the south end of the park and to Flagg Ranch by 10:30.

Lewis Falls

Moose Falls

Dad really wanted to do another hike in Cascade Corner. This one was a four miler that passed a half dozen small waterfalls along the way to the grandaddy of them all, Terraced Falls. The only problem was that it was a twelve mile drive on a rough road to reach the trailhead. We easily made it, though, and started the hike, which was all downhill.

Surprisingly, we didn’t see any animals on this trail. We did see a lot of raging water, though. Two rivers converged and went jumping over the rocks for the entire length of the trail. The constant roar of rapids accompanied us as we passed small falls called Humpback and Diamond. Finally, we reached Terraced Falls. It was massive and beautiful as it cut its way through a narrow, black canyon. It was a little difficult to take pictures because of the steep canyon walls, but we all proclaimed the hike, and the rough drive, worth it.

It was fun to explore a new section of Yellowstone.

This trail was awesome as it followed the river and had lots of little waterfalls.

Mom loves waterfalls almost as much as Dad.

There was a little bit of an adventure along the trail when two people needed to go to the bathroom....

Terraced Falls was massive.

After lunch in the parking lot at Flagg Ranch, we again, turned south. There were no animals along this stretch of the drive either, but we eventually met up the Ferlans at Colter Bay. The kids threw rocks in Jackson Lake for a while and then picked up the Junior Ranger booklets and checked into our cabin.

We love staying at Colter Bay.

Having Bob on the trip is always fun.

When everyone got checked in, we went to do our favorite hike in the Tetons, Moose Ponds. We almost always see something amazing on this trail, and today was no different. First, Mark spotted a bear running across the hillside above the ponds. It was a small black bear, and it sent people on that side of the pond scattering. Then, on the way back, Dax spotted a marmot. As everyone took a look, Dad glanced up the trail and fulfilled his lifelong dream of seeing a marten. Nobody else got to see it, because it was gone so fast, but he described as “a cross between a chihuahua and a fox.” It was so bittersweet for him to see it but not to have anyone else share in it.

We saw this deer right at the start of the trail.

Kate loves hiking with Mark.

This bear was on the other side of the pond, so we were not too close.

Mom loves purple flowers AND butterflies.

We love hiking.

Moose Ponds is so peaceful.

We skipped dinner and snacked in the car instead. This was so we could ride out to Oxbow Bend and check out the animals. We saw several beavers, as usual. Mom also saw a great blue heron feeding her chicks high up in a nest above the river. By then, it was time to head back to the cabin for well-deserved showers.