Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon runs for about 20 miles, but the best part is around Upper and Lower Falls (109 and 308 feet respectively), very close to Canyon Lodge where we were staying. We spent two full days hiking the various trails around the rim.

Day 1

We started with two short, steep trails which each dropped 5-600 feet from the North Rim to overlook Lower Falls. We managed to climb back up the first one without stopping, and were complimented by a young man as follows: “Wow! I don’t want to make any judgements about age, but my kids’ grandparents couldn’t have done that!” I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered, or to be insulted that he obviously thought we looked too ancient to manage such a feat. I think I’ll stick with flattered…

Brink of Lower falls
At Brink of Lower Falls
At Brink of Lower Falls
At Brink of Lower Falls
Red Rock Point
Lower Falls at Red Rock Point
Lower Falls at Red Rock Point
Lower Falls at Red Rock Point
Artist Point and Point Sublime Trail

From Red Rock Point, we drove round to Artist Point on the South Rim. The trail from here to Point Sublime displayed the multi-hued rocks of the canyon to perfection.

Lower Falls from Artist Point
Port Sublime Trail
Port Sublime Trail
Ribbon Lake Trail

We then followed the Ribbon Lake Trail – lots of bird life here.

Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail
Ribbon Lake trail

My Fitbit measured over 30,000 steps that day – the first and only time this has happened!

Day 2

On our second day in the Canyon, we returned to Artist Point and hiked a loop, taking in the South Rim and Clear Lake Trails, which provided an amazing variety of scenery.

South Rim Trail

From Artist Point we set off on the South Rim Trail. As we walked along the canyon edge, we could see the North Rim viewpoints we had visited a few days before – Red Rock Point and Brink of Lower Falls.

Lower Falls from Artist Point
Red Rock Point
Brink of Lower Falls

Just before we reached the falls, we came to a diversion at Uncle Tom’s Trail.

Uncle Tom's Trail
Uncle Tom’s Trail

Now rope ladders would have been beyond me, but steps I can manage. I won’t pretend that I wasn’t completely out of breath by the time I got back to the top though!

Uncle Tom’s Trail
Uncle Tom’s Trail
Uncle Tom’s Trail
Uncle Tom’s Trail

We continued along the South Rim past Upper Falls before re-joining the road at the Wapiti Lake Trailhead where we had our picnic.

South Rim Trail
South Rim Trail
Upper Falls
South Rim Trail
Picnic at Wapiti Lake Trailhead
Picnic pal
Clear Lake Trail

From the other end of the trailhead, Clear Lake Trail led off and the scenery changed completely. First, there was an open meadow to cross.

Wapiti Lake Trailhead
Wapiti Lake Trailhead

Eventually, the smell of sulphur assaulted our nostrils and we emerged from a small patch of forest to find the hydrothermal area of Clear Lake with acid-bleached driftwood and boiling mudpots – a complete contrast in its desolation.

Clear Lake
Clear Lake area
Clear Lake
Mudpot near Clear Lake

Eventually, we met Ribbon Lake Trail again and had the same walk back to Artist Point as on Day 1. It seems no-one can resist photographing the canyon walls.

Near Artist Point
Near Artist Point

Yellowstone surprises round every corner. In this small area we encountered painted cliffs, waterfalls, meadows, sulphurous lakes and boiling mudpots. Could it get any more amazing? Well, maybe it could – next up, Mammoth Springs! In the meantime, this post is linked to Jo’s Monday Walks. Hop over there for blue Portuguese skies and a selection of other cyber-rambling.

USA, Wyoming , ,

86 Comments »

  2. It is absolutely amazing. We always hear about Yellowstone, but honestly I had never fully understand why it is so popular.
    Well, I’d say it isn’t jus tpopular, it’s also a beautiful patch of our word. Thanks so much for sharing this experience.

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  4. So hard to have a preference for one part of Yellowstone versus another, but after seeing all those otherworldly hot spring pools and geysers, the Grand Canyon and its amazing waterfall was just an astonishing sight. Happy the two of you enjoyed it too. Also, there is no age limit to being adventurous!

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    • Thank you. John wields the camera as you have seen! I’m finding blogging a slow process at the moment – so many photos to sift. I think it’ll be next summer before I’m done.

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  7. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Aydon Castle | restlessjo

  9. Marvelous scenery and beautiful photographs. The steps are so steep, I would be seriously scared if some strangers were around me… I would feel claustrophobic regardless of all the space.

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  12. I probably should have read this post a couple days ago when you posted it, because it’s hard to be reminded of America at the moment, but nevertheless, it does look like a very nice walk, even though I wouldn’t be keen on all those steps! I agree that they’re an improvement over rope ladders though!

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  15. I need to go back to Yellowstone just to do more hiking! Also, I think Paul and I picnicked at that same place on our honeymoon.

    As for Fitbit, only once did I get 30,000 steps (the same day I got 35,000) – I think I walked something like fifteen or twenty miles around town and a carnival. I’ve never gotten close again!

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  16. Hey Anabel, I got an interesting visual of the sulphur “assaulting your nostrils” (cute little sulphur guys with swords were fencing inside your nose…I know, I have quite the imagination). I agree, I think he meant it as a compliment. Age is relative anyway, as I spoke with a woman in her seventies who thinks 70 is young. And so it is, and so are you! Be well. ps. I changed my blog’s identity. Jill xx

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  18. All the photos were great, but I especially loved the ones of the Falls, both upper and lower! And you and your husband really are in good shape if you could do those walks and stairs. But I supposed the reward of those fabulous views is a good motivation!

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  20. Well done on all those stairs and nice to see some birds I’m not familiar with but look related to UK and Australian blackbirds,Jays, and thrushes. Funny how evolution produces similar looking species in all the different continents and countries to fill certain roles. ie…you can tell a Kookaburra is still a kingfisher in a desert setting and so on…
    Looks a great holiday trip.

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  23. This is amazing! Beautiful scenery and love the birdies. I could never be that close to falling to my death…hahahaaa. I am not as fit as you and believe this man totally meant it as a compliment.

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  25. I truly hope that I’m able to get to Yellowstone sooner rather than later. It looks so incredibly beautiful and I want to be able to hike the trails to those amazing vistas. When we were in Yosemite recently, we were disheartened to see so many of the trees in distress due to climate change and the drought. It looks like Yellowstone is in much better shape.

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  27. Those walks are amazing! You did so much in those two days; I can imagine the exhaustion, but who could resist all this scenery… I never had 30,000 steps on my Fitbit yet. Impressive! My maximum is 26,000 (Acadia NP). Those waterfalls are still running well for the time of the year. That’s good to know. Looking forward to the next part – and a real visit, of course… Wow!

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  28. Hi Anabel – Monday’s Walk – eh?! That’s enough for me for a few donkey years … no I’ve never been a good walker … fine with sports … but walking – no … if I’d known I’d had a birth defective hip that’ve helped! I admire you walking those paths … but amazing scenery and yes one day I’d love to visit … thanks for the pics etc … cheers Hilary

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  30. You deeply impress me with all your hiking and walking! I would have avoided those steps like the plague, steps are my worst nightmare as they severely strain my knees. For a couple of ‘oldies’ you do alright 😉

    Lovely photos too..

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  31. Hi Anabel,
    Thanks for taking me with you on that tour. Much easier for me to just virtually climb! 😉 But seriously: you did very well. And maybe we’ll manage to ge up there some day, too. It’s still on our bucket list – as is the Colorado’s Grand Canyon and the lesser known, but quite long Palo Duro Canyon here in Texas.
    Have a great week,
    Pit

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  32. How wonderful. I haven’t been to Yellowstone since 1979 and I forgot how amazing it is. Your photos really capture some magnificent scenes. And you should definitely be flattered by that young man’s comment, although I myself am always taken aback when people are surprised to see someone my age doing any kind of physical activity. 🙂

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  33. You’re getting fitter by the second, Anabel! How very dare they???? Lovely trails and thank you very much. 🙂 🙂 Weather’s putting a dampener on walking here but I suppose it is November 😦

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    • I know! But he said it sincerely and I think he did mean it as a compliment so I’ll take it as such. It’s bright here at the moment so I hope to get out after lunch. We had two lovely walks at the weekend – I might take a break from Yellowstone, which is overwhelming me a bit, and write them up soon.

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  34. Some amazing photos here, the colours of the canyon walls are fantastic. I think even I would have been out of breath going back up those steps, though I would also have been brave enough (or insane??) to tackle the rope ladder.

    Incidentally, in reply to your last comment on my blog (as I don’t seem to be able to post a reply to a reply!) I’m wondering if the problems I’m having are because I’m using the free version so there aren’t as many features or options as the paid versions?

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