July 11th: Old Faithful - Grant Village: Two continental divides!

 It’s a short ride today – but with some climbing in there. Before leaving the Old Faithful region, I watch it throw it’s water up in the air once more. The early bison in the distance lays on the hot earth – how do they manage this?

At the bottom of the climb I count the cars rolling by: just want to know I won’t be out there all by myself. Visions of bears behind trees and jumping out in front of me are constantly on my mind. The forested curvy road takes me along the Kepler cascades. Higher it goes – the traffic getting busier. There aren’t many views on this ride – the thought of reaching the first continental divide is what keeps me going. After almost 8 miles or so I finally reach my first top! Picture time and a short talk with the people around me.

A short descend follows and turns into the second climb of the day to the second continental divide. Here I see some snowmen along the road, making me smile.

A great descend into West Thumb is laying ahead and I enjoy every second of it! West Thumb is a group of geysers and basins – again – next to the big Yellowstone Lake. In the far distance I see snowcapped mountains again. I  hike the trail and indeed: there is more water in the lake than usual – the wooden trail along the shoreline lays almost in the lake! That’s what I keep hearing everywhere: lots of snow this winter and a very late spring (almost none) makes for wild rivers and high water in the lakes.

Two miles further is my endpoint of the day! Another awesome day in this wonderland!