July 16, 2006

July 16, 2006

We got a late start this morning. Our first stop was Wal-Mart to replenish food, gas, and supplies for entry into the mountains and Yellowstone National Park. After reading some literature we decide to take Rt. 212 over Beartooth Mountain Pass, described as the most beautiful drive in America. The Rt. 212 exit is just 10 miles west of Billings. This road starts out innocent enough travelling due southwest on a flat straight road through farm country. But the mountains loom very high ahead. As we get closer a gap appears in the mountains and we travel along a stream valley into the range. Quickly the road leaves the river valley and ascends the mountain thru a series of steep switchbacks. The views become spectacular. We stop for a few photos on the way up. Although the edges are very steep, the road is fairly wide and easy to maneuver albeit slowly. The RV does great on the climb. Much better than the navigator who sits in the back of the RV with the curtains closed. At the crest is a wide treeless flat grassland with remnants of snow scattered around. As we descend back down, pine trees reappear and we pass thru alpine meadows of yellow, blue and purple wildflowers.

Eventually we hit the northeast entrance of Yellowstone and follow two mountain streams farther into the park. We see lots of fly fisherman along the way and I kick myself for not getting a license at the entry point. We decide to drive to the northwest corner of the park and see Mammoth Hot Springs first. As we get closer we spot a whitish splotch on the mountainside that looks like a remnant of an earlier mining operation. Later we find this is the Hot Springs and that whitish material is chalk left behind by the steaming hot water. The Hot Springs are Mother Nature’s version of infinity edge pools. The water bubbles up into some chalk-lined pools and disappears over the edge filling more pools below. There is a hint of sulfur in the air. Pretty Eerie.

We spend the night at a park campground at the Hot Springs. There is a flush toilet at this site but no showers and of course no electric or water hookup. I get the feeling that the Park is not that people friendly and is more worried about keeping it a nature reserve than accommodating the tourists. I have heard stories of how crowded the park is, but so far we haven’t seen it and I think the vast majority of tourists drive into the park, make the circuit and head out. Unless you have prior reservations at a lodge, most people aren't prepared to camp.