Yellowstone Canyon

Well, we've done this hike 3 times now. It is so pretty, we just can't resist. But we did something extra this time. I'll explain as the pictures come up.

First we drove to and walked out to Artist's Point. This is the most photographed area in the entire park. The falls in this picture is the lower falls.





And here is the upper falls. The lower falls is taller and the upper is wider. See the bridge in the trees above the falls? Where this picture was taken is where we started our hike from. We will cross that bridge to the other side and wind up at a look out area built on the opposite side of these falls. Then we retrace our steps. Winding up with a six mile hike.

What...He's cute! This is a grey squirrel, pretty typical around here. They tend to be smaller in size from the grey's we have in Florida.

This is the Canyon Bridge built by the Army when they were brought in to occupy Yellowstone to save it from poachers and land grabbers.










This is the other end of the bridge looking down from our perch where we ate lunch. You can see what a bright, sunny day it was. 

Here we are at the area above the upper falls. That didn't take too long now, did it? Bob and I feel that the rapids above the falls would be quite a challenge...especially if you don't exit the river prior to the falls!









 

And, just to confirm, this is what river again?!









So here we are looking back across the river at the Canyon Bridge. We couldn't get over what a gorgeous day it was.


 




And here's the new part. Uncle Tom's Trail consists of 328 steps (very steep steps) that take you down to the bottom of the lower falls. Bob did it the first year we came here. I had not attempted it. So what's a few steps after a 6 mile hike? We went for it.








Are you getting the feel for the dramatic drop? I could see the river way below, but couldn't look but for a passing glance every now and then. At one point I was holding on to the rail with both hands. Have I mention I'm not a fan of heights?

But we made it! Usually the spray from the falls is hitting this platform, but the wind this day was carrying it down the river. 

And we even ended the hike down and up with a rainbow. And that is Uncle Tom's Trail.