WINTER IN YELLOWSTONE 2020 - 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15:

The morning started out overcast so there was no sunrise color as we started our drive into Yellowstone. We proceeded toward West Thumb Geyser Basin. I have visited this area in the summer, and find it a wonderful place with lots of variety. The walk around the area was slow as the single track trail on a boardwalk through the snow made for careful walking.  You do not want to go off the boardwalk into the geyser basin.

The Far Side of Yellowstone Lake is in the distance.

The sun was out here and helped in being able to highlight certain features. West Thumb is located along the West side of Yellowstone Lake.  

Looking Into A Geyser Pool

 I really enjoyed the effects of the wind on the snow banks.

Our next major stop was at Old Faithful where we were fortunate to not have to wait very long for the Geyser to do its thing. The steam cloud was beautiful and I think Popeye was there as well.

As we drove back to the North we stopped along the road to photograph a group of bison as they were relatively close with 
good separation of the animals.

Snowmobilers Stopped Too.

Lower Geyser Basin was next with lovely snow covered trees and stumps. 

Today's Snow Coach

A visit to the geysers there produced some interesting snow formations.

 Once again I had to be careful walking along the narrow trails through the snow on the covered walkways. It was worth the effort though.

Wind Blown Hoarfrost

Small Geyser
                                                                                                          

WINTER IN YELLOWSTONE 2020 - 1

MONDAY, JANUARY 13TH:

Winter in Yellowstone can be magical, cold, and beautiful. I visited it, the second week in January this year. I was fully prepared for the weather with a down jacket, rain pants, a couple of layers of longjohns, a warm knit hat, gloves, and scarf. My feet stayed nice and warm with my new arctic boots from Baffin, a Canadian winter boot company. They also had very good traction.

Lin, my traveling/photography companion once again joined me on this trip, led by Mark Rasmussen of LightChase Photography. We were off from my house at 0345 for a 0615 flight to Salt Lake City and onto Bozeman, Montana.

Our flights went according to schedule and we arrived in Bozeman on time. We met up with the other photographers in the Airport, and after Mark picked up a rental car, we were off to West Yellowstone, a two hour drive away. We will be venturing out from West Yellowstone for the next five days, and enter the Park each morning before sunrise. We will be returning around sunset. 

Our mode of transportation in the Park was was several versions of snow coaches. These took us into the Park interior, and we were able to stop and visit geysers, and various animals in their natural winter environment.

Monday evening we dined in town at Bullwinkles where Lin and I enjoyed a salad and chicken enchiladas. Afterwards we stopped at a local market to pick up supplies for breakfasts as we will be leaving town before breakfast is served at our hotel. Once back at the Hotel it was time to unpack and get organize for the next few days.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14TH:

We were met at 0630 at our hotel and loaded our gear and ourselves in two snow coaches called "Bombadiers". This is an older coach which does a good job though a bit crowded in side. Later in the week we graduated to a more modern coach which held us all in one vehicle.Though larger it was still an adventure at times getting ourselves, tripods, etc. in and out in a timely manner.



Our first stop was along the Madison River as we drove into the Park from West Yellowstone. There was no sunrise color, but we got the feeling of the cold as we photographed bison hunkered down along the far shore of the river.


We also visited Norris Geyser Basin, and Beryl Hot Spring which is one of the hottest springs with the water temperature being about 196˚F.

In the Canyon area we briefly visited the Visitor Center before heading out to view the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from Artist's Point and then from Lookout Point. The weather was not conducive, being overcast, but I took pictures anyway. 

From the Bridge across the Yellowstone River

A couple of bison put on quite a show as they grazed in deep show.

Clearing a spot to graze

We spent some time wandering around the the Artist's Paintpot area as the steam had created thick snow coverings on the trees in the area. It was magical at times. Luckily we did not have to be out in the weather that had caused this winter wonderland. 

As we headed back to West Yellowstone we stopped at Firehole Falls:

There was a little bit of color in the evening sky so we made a quick stop:

Evening Sky Along the Madison River