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Proud single mom of one beautiful daughter who shares my love of sports and music. She doesn't share my love of the outdoors which I find weird. I love photography and wish I had a better camera!! Maybe someday...

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Yellowstone is Calling...And I'm back baby. Let's Visit Gorgeous Biscuit Basin and Go on an "Easy" Hike to Morning Glory Pool

You know what to do...Click on the links!!

The Gorgeous Views of Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons with Elk Herd Cameos!

Jenny Lake and Foxes and Bears!

Wild West, Abandoned Cabins, and Bison!

Mormon Row - Beautiful Barns and Pronghorn Antelope!

National Museum of Wildlife Art - Amazing Sculptures in a Glorious Outdoor Setting!

Colter Bay at Grand Teton National Park & Snow! South Entrance of Yellowstone to Black Sand Basin!

Okay!  On with the story of my amazing adventure in Yellowstone National Park!  Quick refresher:  I set off from California to visit a place I haven't been since childhood - solo as usual!  

Great fun was had, amazing sights were seen in both Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP.  Anxiety was felt and my first solo nights were successful!

And now, on my first full day in Yellowstone National Park, I was up early and excited to hit the road, see some more sights, and - hopefully - get a little exercise.  

I absolutely loved being there at this time of year!  The colder (than summer) air means that the steam rising from the vents is easier to see and looks so cool!

I was heading to catch the morning eruption of Old Faithful so I was on the right side of the road to get a picture or two of the bison herd in front of the Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring. 

All those little dots are bison in various sized. I didn't notice it at the time, but there are even BABIES out there!  

Bison herd in Yellowstone meadow by Midway Geyser Basin

Bison herd in Yellowstone meadow by Midway Geyser Basin

Some, like me, were a little on the sleepy side.  

Some people at the far end of the turnout left, so I was able to move a bit closer to the herd for more photos.

Is it just me or is this bison pregnant?  
They all have horns so I don't know how else to tell boys from girls.

Bison laying down in Yellowstone National Park

Here's a closer look.  
Possibly pregnant Bison at Yellowstone National Park

This is when I first noticed the babies!  
Yes, there is one in the next photo...hiding behind it's mom (dad?).

Bison and baby at Midway Geyser Basin Yellowstone National Park

But I couldn't linger to take more photos as I had someplace to be.  

There was a park ranger standing near the meadow with binoculars, looking across the road and up a nearby hill. I asked her if the bison herd was usually there and she said it had been there for awhile and would probably hang out all day, but couldn't promise.

 I asked her what she was looking for and she said that about 15 minutes prior, a bear had crossed the road nearby and ran up the hill.  She was hoping to see where it was heading.  
Darn!  I just missed it!

But I had to press on and hope the bison decided to wait for me to come back this way because  Old Faithful was predicted to blow at 6:35 and I was on my way! I got there and found a pretty close parking spot because it was so early (I guess).  I was hustling up the walk way and, to my surprise, the geyser was already going off!  

Holy chit!  Luckily my camera was slung across my chest so I was able to snap a quick shot as I walked up!  It was pretty amazing and the eruption seemed to last for a pretty good bit.  I guess it was on the upper end of the 1-5 minutes per eruption.  

Old Faithful Yellowstone National Park

I debated about hanging around to see the next eruption but it wasn't for awhile according to the board in front of the visitor center. 

Geyser prediction board in front of the Old Faithful Visitor Center

I walked around for a bit while I was trying to decide and got this cool photo of one of the other geysers in the area.  I don't know which one it is though.  

Yellowstone Geyser near Old Faithful

The birder in me (very amateur as we all know) was happy to see a heron soaring over the forest near Old Faithful.  I didn't see a ton of birds and the few pictures I tried to get are a little on the shitty side.  Especially the one mountain bluebird I saw.  lol  I'm still going to post them though.  

Heron Flying near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park

Well, I decided not to wait around because I wanted to visit Biscuit Basin and, hopefully, go on a little easy hike.  Which I did.  And the videos?  They're a little hilarious.  lol  But that's going to be in the next post. 

So first, it's Biscuit Basin!  

With sleeping bison right in the parking lot!! Well, just beside the parking lot anyway.  Like within 10 yards!  I cropped the bottom of this photo right at the asphalt line.  So cool!

Bison in the Biscuit Basin Geyser Parking Lot at Yellowstone National Park

So, so very cool to see these huge creatures up close!  

Big, beautiful Bison at Yellowstone National Park Wyoming USA

It was so amazing to be in such a beautiful place on such a beautiful morning!  Words cannot even describe honestly.  But pictures can!

Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park Wyoming USA

Black Opal Pool and Black Diamond Pool

Black Opal Pool and Black Diamond Pool at Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Golden ground!  I swear the terraced ground around the springs and geysers looked like real gold in the morning light.  So gorgeous!

Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park Wyoming USA

Sapphire Pool with stunning gold and green runoff

Sapphire Pool with Gold and Green Runoff Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Sapphire Pool with it's aqua to azure depths.  So clear and gorgeous!  There are random bubbles in there too...see if you can spot them.  

Sapphire Pool with Aqua to Azure Blue Water - Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Sapphire Pool with Aqua to Azure Blue Water - Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Jewel Geyser

Jewel Geyser at Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Jewel Geyser at Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Shell Geyser (closeup) - You can see the clamshell appearance of the sinter surrounding the opening which gives this geyser it's name. 

Shell Geyser Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Shell Geyser Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

Silver Globe Cave Geyser

Silver Globe Cave Geyser Biscuit Basin Yellowstone National Park

After walking the loop at Biscuit Basin, I decided that I did, indeed, want to try the little hike from the Artemesia Trailhead to Morning Glory Pool.  

Since I am more than a little out of shape and the altitude at the trailhead is approximately 7,300'  compared to the 80' where I live, I was slightly apprehensive.  But I love walking in the outdoors and would never forgive myself if I came to Yellowstone and DIDN'T try to hike.  

So I decided to go for it.  I mean, I could always turn around, right?

This is the hike which is about .9 miles each way from trailhead to Morning Glory.  You can keep going all the way to Old Faithful and even farther!  I hope to do that next time.  :)  So each way was probably about 1.25 from the parking lot of Biscuit Basin where I left my car. 

Map of Artemesia Trailhead to Morning Glory Pool Yellowstone National Park


Map of Artemesia Trailhead to Morning Glory Pool Yellowstone National Park

But that adventure is deserving of it's own post.  :)  Which shall be up MUCH sooner than this one was.  haha  See you soon!

xoxo

Nikon D600 with Nikkor 28-300 & Nikon D7200 with Sigma Contemporary 150-600