Yellowstone National Park--Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
9-10 June, 2013
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with Lower Falls, from Artist Point. Photo by Eric.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is not at all the most famous part of Yellowstone, but it may very well be the prettiest. My coworker, who once spent two summers working in Yellowstone, told me it was his favorite. It was a positively spectacular sight.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a water erosion feature, carved through the soft volcanic rock by the Yellowstone River. It looks less unusual and is certainly less dynamic than the erupting features on the west side of the loop road, it's still utterly amazing, featuring a beautiful waterfall at one end, with upper and lower cascades.
A relief map of the canyon showing its incredible depth. Photo by Eric.
Our first stop was an overlook called Artist Point.
Lower Falls and river. Photo by Eric.
My view from Artist Point.
This place was so pretty that we had to take each other's pictures.
Photo obviously by Eric.
Magnificent Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
We hiked the South Rim trail.
A fascinating pinnacle formation, which must be made of firmer rock.
Looking east into the canyon.
Looking across to the north rim.
A dramatic, sweeping slope. The canyon walls are very steep.
The views of the Lower Falls were spectacular.
Eric took a closer-in view.
We descended the steep Uncle Tom's Trail, 150 meters down. The park brochure promised, "an unparalleled canyon and waterfall experience."
The Lower Falls appeared from different angles.
Eric's view.
Photo by Eric.
Eric took my picture at the overlook.
There were 328 steps down. You could see through the ridged metal steps. Photo by Eric.
Climbing back up the steep trail wasn't as exhausting as it had sounded. We were back at the car in no time, and very glad we had taken the time for the trail.
We stopped at an overlook for the Upper Falls.
Eric took a picture of a pile of snow still clinging to the cliffside.
He also took a picture of the steep steps we had descended on the other side of the canyon.
We drove to an overlook at Inspiration Point. An interpretive sign told us that this promontory had formerly stuck out another 30 meters into the canyon, but that the end had fallen off in an earthquake in 1959.
Eric was able to stand at Inspiration Point long enough to take a good picture, but the howling canyon winds were too much for me.
There was a geocache at this large glacial erratic. Photo by Eric.
Eric took a picture of the Lodgepole Pines by the road.
We had thought we were done exploring the Canyon area, but then I read in National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of the United States (an excellent reference that everyone who loves this stuff should own) about the other trail down to the Lower Falls on the south side of the canyon: "Standing beside the green river where it suddenly drops into space is one of the most exciting experiences in the park." We felt we had to go back for it the next day.
The Lower Falls from near the top of the trail.
This trail had no stairs, just switchbacks like crazy. Eric took a picture of them.
Me at a sharp switchback turn. Photo by Eric.
The Lower Falls from one of the overlooks at the bottom of the trail.
Eric took a picture looking back into the canyon.
And another picture of me at top of the Lower Falls.
Eric leaned over to take a picture of the drama of the plunging waterfall.
A professional ski videographer from Washington took the time to take a great picture of us at the falls overlook.
The Upper Falls from the Lower Falls trail.
The Lower Falls from near the top of the trail.
Even though we'd seen the Lower Falls up close, Eric insisted on stopping at the overlook and photographing the dramatic view of the falls from there.
I took a picture into the spectacular canyon in the fading light.
What an experience! I think the Canyon area was better than the geysers. Less unusual certainly, but it definitely stands out as one of the steepest and most marvelous canyons I've ever seen. It was all incredibly exciting, one of the most worthwhile adventures in Yellowstone.
Distance hiked: at least 6+ km
On to Norris Geyser Basin.
