Am "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone"

19. Juni: Nach dem Riesenprogramm gestern lassen wir es heute etwas langsamer angehen und bewegen uns nur im Südostbereich des Parks. Schon am frühen Nachmittag gehen wir auf unseren nächsten Campingplatz (Fishing Bridge), denn dort haben wir uns für heute mit Freunden aus Florida verabredet, die zufällig zur gleichen Zeit hier sind.

20. Juni: Der Tag beginnt mit 1 Grad C, und auf den Autodächern liegt eine ganz dünne Schicht Schnee. Am Morgen verbringen wir über drei Stunden im Bereich des beeindruckenden “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone“. Wir erkunden erst die Südseite (South Rim), dann die Nordseite (North Rim), wo wir auch einen steilen Weg mit Serpentinen und Treppen hinunter laufen. Der Rückweg dauert viermal so lang. 

 

Danach verlassen wir Yellowstone über den Nordausgang. Wir sind in Montana; die hervorragende Straße führt durch eine Landschaft, die an das Voralpenland erinnert. In Livingston verbringen wir wieder einmal anderthalb Stunden mit dem Laptop in der öffentlichen Bücherei und nutzen das Wlan. Dann setzen wir unseren Weg zum Glacier Nationalpark fort. 

Am späten Nachmittag landen wir kurz hinter Townsend auf einem sehr einfachen kleinen Platz schön am Ufer des Missouri River. In unserem Campingführer ist er als Campingplatz gelistet und auch so ausgeschildert, aber es ist eher ein Picknickplatz mit einer Toilette. Die gute Nachricht: Er ist kostenlos. Die schlechte Nachricht: Ganz in der Nähe geht die Bahnlinie vorbei, und nachts ist reger Zugverkehr.

At the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

June 19: After yesterdays big program we take it easy today and only cover the southeast area of the park. Already early in the afternoon we arrive at our next campground (Fishing Bridge). For tonight we made an appointment there with Keith and Doreen, who coincidentally visit Yellowstone at the same time.

June 20: The day starts with 35 degrees F and the roofs of the cars are covered with a thin layer of snow. In the morning we spend more than three hours around the impressing “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone“. First we explore the South Rim, than the North Rim, where we descend a steep trail with serpentines and stairs. The way back takes four times as long.

Afterwards we leave Yellowstone taking the north exit. We are in Montana. The excellent and wide road leads through a scenery that reminds us of South Bavaria. In Livingston once again we spend an hour and a half with the computer in the public library using their Wifi.

Then we continue our way to Glacier National Park. Late in the afternoon we arrive at a very basic campground near Townsend, located nicely on the bank of Missouri River. In our campground directory it is listed as a campground and posted as such, but it is more a picnic site with a toilet.

The good news: it is free of charge. The bad news: there is a railroad track nearby, and at night there is quite a lot of traffic.

At Yellowstone National Park

Already early next morning we arrive at Yellowstone National Park. The road is winding, in some parts pretty steep, through the mountain scenery. 

Soon we are able to watch our first bear by the roadside.

We pass Bridge Bay campground, where we had reserved a site by phone the day before, and already check in. Than we go on to the famous Old Faithful geyser, that is situated in the middle of the biggest geyser area in the park. making several stops on the way. Here we spend more than three hours including a worthwhile visit of the Old Faithful Inn.

 On the way to Madison we stop at several other attractions, including Firehole Canyon Drive. It's warm, but the breeze is strong.

Then we take the northeastern loop via Norris and Canyon Village 50 miles back to our campground. About four miles before our destination suddenly the road is blocked in front of us by a big fallen tree. It must have happened only a few minutes ago as we are standing almost at the top of the line. To turn around would cost 100 miles and three hours of driving. So we patiently wait around one hour until Rangers from the opposite side have shredded the obstacle with chain saws and put it aside, before the road is open again.

Hence we only arrive around 8 pm at our campground. We are glad to have checked in in the morning already, because now campers are waiting in a long line in front of the office. To our surprise a bison is grazing in the middle of the campground.