Robert C.
Yelp
1. The Lamar Valley, open mid May to October, has the largest concentrations of bison in Yellowstone National Park.
2. We got up at 6am, had a quick breakfast, and headed out to the Lamar valley, from our Lake Yellowstone hotel cabin. We wanted to get to the valley as early as possible when the animals are most active, and to beat the crowds of visitors.
3. It took us about 90 minutes to drive the 35 miles from Lake Yellowstone, through the Hayden Valley, and alongside the winding Mountain road adjacent to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
4. 25 mph speed limits, as you don't want to come around a blind curve and hit a 1000 lb bison with your car!
5. At Tower Roosevelt, after using the restrooms, we checked in with the ranger station, which directed us to a nearby location with a bear sighting at nearby Floating Island.
6. At Floating Island sure enough, there were dozens of cars parked alongside the road, with a ranger holding people back. A black bear was frolicking in the bushes about 50 yards away, sniffing around for berries and insects in fallen trees. You would too, if you couldn't afford the prices of food at these Yellowstone cafeterias!
7. We put in more gas in the rental car at the nearby gas station before going into the Valley. No gas stations in this valley, and it is 29 miles and a 1 hour drive to the Northeast park entrance.
8. Big sky country, grassland in the valley, with mountains in the background, and the Lamar river rapids running next to the road. Herds of dark brown adult bison, with the occasional bright orange calf tagging along in the distance.
9. Viewpoints for camera buffs with monster telephoto lenses cameras on tripods for picture stability to shoot long distance pictures across the valley of elk and pronghorn.
10. Traffic stopped for animal sightings and the even rarer restrooms!
11. Traffic on the 2 lane road comes to a halt several times in the Valley, with herds of bison crossing the road. And bison always have the right of way!
12. Whatever you do, do not leave your car when the herds of bison come alongside, as you do not want to pat the calf, and can't outrun 1000 lb mama!
13. One place, the bison calf leads the way, leaping right in front of the car from the roadside.
14. Eventually the Lamar river subsides, the Soda Butte creek takes over, and we drive uphill, gaining elevation, with snow capped mountains on both sides of us.
15. We check out a bunch of stopped cars on the roadside. The guy lets us take a look through his tripod mounted telescope of next door 10,400' Baronette Peak.
16. Pronghorn sheep on the rocky bluffs invisible to the naked eye, but visible through the scope.
17. Waterfalls on the Baronette Peak, just a few miles from the end of the Valley at the northeast entrance to the park.
18. On our way back, we see a herd of bison trying to forge the Lamar river at a shallow point, where adults can stand up and the calves can swim -I assume the calves have to swim, as their feet can't reach the bottom!
19. We see a herd of pronghorn with underdeveloped horns in the meadow. The wife says they are adolescent pronghorns, in herds for safety.
20. No grizzly bear sightings in the middle of the day -but come back at dusk and it may be another story!
21. While we are here, we head on over to Mammoth Hot Springs, 18 miles and 45 minutes away.
