2024 Loop, Day 3: Yellowstone

Today was a banner day! Not far out of Cooke City, where I have been staying, I got to watch a family of four moose right off the bat! The bull had something wrong with one antler. I was told that it is too early for moose to loose their velvet and shed antlers, so I'm guessing it was the result of a battle. 

Then, along the drive, more bison, pronghorns and another moose. Lunch at Mammoth Hot Springs and a hike to the famous travertine terraces. Along the way, I met and visited with a large group of friendly Asian tourists who turned out to be from... Los Angeles. They asked me to take a group photo of them, which I happily did. So I asked for one of me. To the surprise of the husbands, they didn't get to be in my photo! Then, to my surprise, a couple of other lady hikers wanted to join in. Lots of laughs!

Back to Cooke City for a quick nap, then a drive up the spectacular Beartooth Highway to the Pass. Not for the feint of heart, the road climbs past lots of beautiful lakes, to tight switchbacks with sheer drop-offs, to the summit at almost 11,000 feet. The stunning view there includes the valley floor, over 3,000 feet below! My mild fear of heights definitely kicked in.

I did find clusters cottonwood and quaking aspen trees changing to yellow. It's still early fall here, but change is in the air! I also spotted the very last of the alpine's summer wildflowers.