Headwaters Yellowstone
"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."
of
the
B&B and guest cabins
- Jane Austen
©Headwaters of the Yellowstone B&B 9 Olson Lane Box 25 Gardiner, MT 59030
406-848-7073
Day 1 - HOT WATER
Travel along the western side of the Grand Loop road and explore the wide variety of thermal features that Yellowstone has to offer.
Start early and take a dip in the Boiling River hot spring just a few miles from Headwaters. Make the short hike back to the car and head to Norris Geyser Basin - the park's most changeable and acidic basin. Take in a morning ranger walk to get oriented and hope you'll catch a view of the world's largest erupting geyser, Steamboat. (It sometimes takes years for this to happen - so don't wait too long!) Head south and visit Midway Geyser Basin where Excelsior Geyser dumps a huge amount of steamy water into the Firehole River and where Grand Prismatic Spring shows it colors. Travel to Old Faithful and catch a classic eruption then take a break for a cocktail or coffee on the deck of the historic Inn before taking a walk in the Lower Geyser Basin. There are more thermal features in this area than in the rest of the world put together. See Old Faithful twice - once with the crowd and once from Geyser Hill - it's never quite the same. With your weary crew, drive back to Mammoth Hot Springs (look for wildlife) and after dinner at the Mammoth Hotel, take an evening walk among the steamy terraces. Head back "home" for cookies and a good night's sleep.
Day 2 - WILDLIFE
Explore the northern range of the park; America's Serengeti.
Start early and head east to Tower Junction and on to the Lamar Valley. This is THE place to look for wolves during most times of the year (early in the morning is best) and if you have a hard time finding wolves; just look for the wolf watchers - one of the many subsets of passionate visitors here in Yellowstone. Take a hike to Trout Lake (look for otters) or along the banks of the Lamar River. You may also see bison, elk, fox, coyote, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, marmot...chances are good that if you don't see anything you just need to slow down and pay attention. Visit the historic towns of Silver Gate and Cooke City and make sure to check out the historic general store. We treat outselves to an annual trout dinner at the Log Cabin Cafe in Silver Gate and we highly recommend their pumpkin bread with breakfast.
Day 3 - COLD WATER
Travel along the eastern side of the Grand Loop road and check out the spectacular waterfalls and the high elevation "ocean" that is Yellowstone Lake.
Sleep in. Really. Try and get to Canyon Village around 10 a.m. in the summer to get the best light on the canyon walls and Upper and Lower Falls. (Evening is also nice.) Visit more than one overlook (they are all a little different) and, if your knees can take it, navigate the 328 steps to a spectacular view. Head south to Yellowstone Lake and cross Fishing Bridge to visit the historic visitor center. Travel back to Lake Village and and have lunch along the lakeshore (resteraunt or picnic) before driving south to Gull Point Drive. Take the one-way drive and stop and just listen to the waves. The lake is COLD (too cold for swimming) but the brave might enjoy an afternoon summer wade and some shore walking. Consider Elephant Back trail for a day hike and head back through Hayden Valley towards Canyon in late afternoon. Look for bears! In late summer, expect traffic delays during the bison rut. Make your way home and make a list of everything you've seen while you've been in Yellowstone. Make another list of everything you want to see on your next visit!
Have some additional time?
Lucky you. Why not spend a day just relaxing by the beach and reading? Or how about a horseback ride in the morning and a raft trip in the evening as part of a paddle/saddle package? Fly fishing is world class here - let us arrange a drift boat to take you out on the river OR stand on the shore and try your luck. When is the last time you played tetherball? Hike to the top of Mount Washburn and pretend you are a firefighter. Visit our local art galleries or, Fridays in summer, take in a full scale Artwalk. Drive to Bozeman and explore the historic downtown shopping/dining options. Drive over the Beartooth Highway and have a summer snowball fight. Visit the museums in Cody, WY and return on the Chief Joseph Highway. Take a private wildlife tour with a Yellowstone Association Guide. Do nothing. You'll find plenty to do here!
