Yellowstone... a walk, a short hike and a big hike

We were up early for another drive through the park.  This time the upper loop.  It was very foggy and misty out.

We headed towards Mammoth Hot Springs.  It was another beautiful day in the park.  The north loop has some different rocky outcroppings.

 

 

 

 

There were more fumaroles, geysers and beautifully colorful thermal pools to see.

You could say, more of the same, but they are not.  They are just so different!

 

 There are many walkways that take you through a maze of beautiful sights.

 

 



 While we were hiking this trail we heard an elk bugling nearby, so we headed back.

 

 

 

 

When you keep your eyes open you can find all kinds of surprises.  Just off the boardwalk I spotted this snakeskin that had been shed.

 



 

 

These below, are my favorite.  The colors were amazing.  Beautiful from all angles.

 

 

 

 

 

 As we drove around the loop back towards the Yellowstone River, the basalt cliffs were very interesting and really stood out.

 

 

 

We had a great hike up Mt. Washburn, the highest peak in the Washburn Range of Yellowstone.  At the peak, 10, 243 ft, there is one of only three fire lookout towers in the park.  The views are incredible and go on forever in a 365 degree view.

Up, up and up.  At the top of that peak in the distance is the fire lookout.

This is one of my favorites.  A small stand of bleached, fire burned trees.

 How cool was this?  We came across a herd of bighorn sheep right on the trail.  They wouldn't budge and couldn't care less that we were there.  We very slowly hiked past them.  Beautiful creatures.

We made it!!

Gotta rub the marker for good luck!
Veni, vidi, vici! (I came, I saw, I conquered!)