August 20, 2014
Today we woke up to 45 degree air and fog! Anticipating the temperature would increase and the fog would dissipate, we packed our lunch and headed for the West Gate. For today’s exploration, we chose the route to Mammoth Hot springs. From Mammoth we continued east to Tower Junction and into the Lamar Valley. As we drove near the Yellowstone Institute, we began seeing herds of Bison. Finally, some wildlife! We continued on the road and exited the park at the North East Entrance/Exit.
On the Beartooth Highway, we stopped in the small community of Silver Gate. The town name was chosen because of the silver haze over the mountains. In addition, the town was going to be a gate to Yellowstone Park. We stopped to look for some old cabins that were constructed in the 1930’s. The dad of one of Ken’s friends helped to build the cabins in 1938. We located the Pine Edge Cabins and took some photos.
A short distance up the road was another small community, Cooke City. The population of 100, are hosts to tourists enjoying the winter wonderland sports of snowmobiling, tour skiing, and winter photography. In the summer, the population increases to 300 residents!
We continued east on the Beartooth Highway. In 1978, we drove this highway and Ken was anxious to do it again, 36 years later. The highway zigzags across the Montana-Wyoming border through a series of steep switchbacks. The highway rises to 10,947 feet at the Beartooth Pass. Just before reaching the pass, it began to rain. At the Bear Tooth Pass sign, we jumped out of the jeep and snapped a few pictures. Time to make the return trip to Yellowstone National Park.
As we started back on the Beartooth Highway, it rained and hailed! Soon the sun came out and we stopped at Clarks Fork Overlook for lunch and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Continuing on the road, we came across the Lake Creek Falls. The falls plunge through a narrow canyon with steep granite walls. We stopped and hiked on the path towards the historic Creek Bridge. The bridge is one of the few remaining structures of the original road across the Beartooth Plateau.
Inside the park, we took an alternate route to return to the west entrance. We turned south at Tower Junction and passed the 132 foot Tower Falls. The water looks like a long column of water falling down the side of the mountain.
We continued on to Canyon Village and then turned west towards the West Entrance. It continued to be a beautiful sunny afternoon as we drove through the park towards our RV park.
As we approached the west entrance, it was raining hard and the rain continued into the night.
Tomorrow- Day 3 in Yellowstone
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