Yellowstone Day 2

The temperature on Day 1 had been only around 40 degrees, but we woke up to the high 20’s. After breakfast in the cabin, we did another drive. This time we saw the bighorn sheep at Calcite Springs. Unfortunately, Lamar Valley was disappointing again and it started to snow. Trout Lake was far too muddy to hike. We continued out to see if we could see the mountain goats, but it was too foggy, and more and more snow was accumulating on the road. Along the way, a buffalo snorted and stamped at us from the side of the road. We turned, and finally spotted a bear on our way back toward the valley. Other than the bucks we always see near Trout Lake, there was little else.

It was a cloudy, snowy day.

This guy didn't like when we stopped to take picture.

We saw these guys every day in Lamar valley.

It was fun to see this little bear by the road.

The snow wasn't bugging him.

We certainly weren’t going to attempt a hike in the snow, and after 10 miles the day before, that was okay. Instead, we drove down past Canyon into Hayden Valley. Things were a little better there. We spotted a grizzly bear and watched him for a while. There were also black specks across the valley that were supposedly a black bear and wolf, but there weren’t too exciting.

The snow was melting by lunchtime, and we pushed our way into a seat in the diner at Fishing Bridge. We always eat at the little bar there, even though it is difficult to find a spot. We also stopped for our traditional picture at Lower Falls. We parked right up front because there just weren’t that many people moving around on this snowy day. 

We spotted the big horn sheep way across the canyon.

How do they just live up there like no big deal??

It was a beautiful snowy day.

We were grateful for sweatshirts!

We watched this bear for quite awhile.

You could see him pretty well. 

Love fishing bridge!

On the drive back through Hayden Valley, the same bear-jam was slowing traffic. We also briefly glimpsed a grizzly and her cubs on Mount Washburn. Then we regrouped at the cabins, hopeful for a better outcome in the evening. 

Mom quickly made some ramen on the Coleman stove, and then we did a hike with the Webbs. We shuttled up to Petrified Tree and walked back to Roosevelt Lodge. The hike was really nice and all downhill. Along the way we saw a coyote and some mule deer. We even stopped and played at the lake. The kids loved spotting different bugs and crustaceans along the edge, marveling at the variety. 

It is a tradition to take a picture here!

Mark's favorite place is Yellowstone.

It was pretty with a little snow on the mountains.

We spotted this big black bear on the way to our hike.

We all stopped to watch him for awhile.

I didn't take many pictures on the hike, but the flowers were still pretty!

The Webb and Ockey kids!

Sisters!

Randy is always walking on logs into the water. Always!!

After Lost Lake we made one more animal drive. There wasn’t a whole lot to see this night either, so we stopped and hiked a short way up Specimen Ridge. Mark ran up to the junction, but Seth and Dax stayed in the van, where they saw a bear near the road. Still, it had been an unspectacular day.

Spotted the big horn sheep again!

And a bald eagle!

Slough Creek is our new favorite spot to look for animals. 

We saw a ton of pronghorn this year in Lamar Valley.

Pretty rainbow!

Mom had to document that she saw the rainbow, too!

Finally, back on the Grand Loop Road, we had a good bear sighting. This little black bear had a cub, and they crossed right in front of us. The cub climbed up a narrow tree and walked out on a limb. It was so tiny and cute that the day was finally made. We decided to go up to the next pullout and turn around, but before we even got there, we came across another bear in the road. Again, there was no one around, and after he crossed, he came right toward us. In fact, Dad had to move the car so he didn’t get too close. We watched for a little while longer, and then headed back toward the cabin. We made a quick stop at the Petrified Tree and there was another bear. It was a little ways off the road, but it was right by the trail we had hiked earlier. We went back to the cabin happy after three great bear sightings.

The little cub kept popping up!

Look how little he is!! So cute!

We could have watched him all day.

He was crazy in the trees, though!

Then we came upon a black bear.

Just walking down the road.

This is the bear by the trail (see it in the background). Glad we didn't run into him while hiking!