Yellowstone 5/19/17
Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:49 pm
Originally I was planning on an April trip into Yellowstone but I wasn't able to venture into the park until the last part of May. Anyway after a 14 hour drive I made the West Gate just after 4am. I decided to drive across to the Northeast Entrance Station taking in the sights along the way while checking trailhead conditions. Not a creature was stirring as I made my way past the Norris intersection. Finally a foodservice truck passed me going southbound just north of the intersection. At this point I had been on the road 16 hours with a short break at a rest area and thought it was a good time to pull over. Just past Twin Lakes & Roaring Mountain I pulled off onto the shoulder just before the start of the construction. I stood on the passenger side of my vehicle looking across to the west side of the road when I heard some movement behind me. On either side two small grizzly cubs ventured out both behind and in front of my suv. I maneuvered around my vehicle shutting the hatch and jumping into the driver's seat. Both were intent on digging into the soft shoulder disregarding me. I took a few photos with my long lens attached doing what I could to capture the moment quickly. I moved forward 50 feet and put my hazard lights on as the two bears moved out into the road just shy of the curve. After watching them I was able to determine it was a skinny sow and cub. Through other discussions my understanding was they were most likely hazed the previous night from the Norris Campground. I hung out on the curve for thirty minutes hoping my hazards would slow approaching vehicles. Finally both sow and cub scampered up the road.
Anyway it was a good trip with good hikes. Attaching a few other photos. I'm glad the Forum is back up.
Jeff
Anyway it was a good trip with good hikes. Attaching a few other photos. I'm glad the Forum is back up.
Jeff