June 6th, 2022:
I set my alarm for seven-thirty a.m., giving me time to enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Old Faithful Inn and get a geyser walk in before checking out at eleven a.m.
The Old Faithful Inn offers a scrumptious breakfast buffet with a variety of options from bacon and eggs to fruit and granola. The dining room breathes rustic ambiance. After downing two cups of coffee and a full plate of home fries with bacon and fruit, I grabbed my camera and headed outside.
My favorite spot in Yellowstone is roughly an hour long walk from Old Faithful through the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks to Grotto Geyser before looping back on a concrete path past Castle Geyser, returning to Old Faithful.
This winding loop provides extraordinary access and views to the Upper Geyser Basin features, from Beehive Geyser to the Lion Group to Grand and beyond.
God answered my prayer as the rain held off long enough for me to tread my favorite Yellowstone path. I used to walk this trail every day when I worked at the park, taking time to pause and watch the thermal features (aka a geyser gazer). I view each of the features as long friends – enjoying another chance to witness their wonder.
Key tip: Please stay on the boardwalks -the ground is sizzling hot!
As I made my way along the trail, a lone buffalo appeared. I distanced myself and gave it space to roam.
I wish I could share all my photos in this blog of the amazing Upper Basin features, but here are a few:
If you have time, you can also walk to Morning Glory Pool. The trail system also connects to the nearby Biscuit and Black Sand Basins (which are also accessible by car/park and hike).
Every time I walk this path I need to pinch myself to believe it’s real. I always feel God’s grace streaming through me knowing that once again he brought me back ‘home’ to Yellowstone.
I rushed back after my walk to grab my things and check out at the Old Faithful Inn. I grabbed a bottled water (reusable cup from Silver Springs MT) and hit the road.
Today’s itinerary will be a long and adventurous road, south through Yellowstone into Grand Teton National Park, northwest over the Jackson Hole Pass into Idaho and eventually the Gallatin Canyon in Montana…stay tuned.
