All my life, I have dreamed of going to Yellowstone National Park. So this summer after winning a trip to Glacier National Park we decided to drop south and visit Yellowstone for a few days. I was disappointed. Which may seem sacrilegious for an outdoors blog, but Yellowstone simply couldn’t live up to 30 years of expectations cooked up in my mind. Had I had time or energy to venture deep into the backcountry I might have felt different, but one thing is for certain, Yellowstone front country is sadly filled with gift shops, gas stations, parking lots and other “amenities” that detract from the otherwise breathtaking scenery. Having said that, however, there were still parts I managed to enjoy.
Of all the attractions offered at Yellowstone, Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone proved the most rewarding. My family and I pulled up to the overflowing parking lot at Artiest Point. It took us hours just to get into the parking lot due to the clog of cars blocking the road to take pictures of an Elk. I regret to say I added to the part of yellowstone I hate by stopping myself and taking a picture of the same Elk.
Once we reached Artiest Point the views of Lower Falls and the Yellowstone River were simply amazing. The crowds present at Artiest point, however, rivaled those at Wal-mart on black friday. Desperately seeking escape from the crowds we ventured down the short South Rim Trail that was clearly marked as a Bear Frequenting Area. I was willing to take my chances if it meant getting away from the people.
The South Rim Trail proved very pleasant and practically isolated. We passed a few people as we hiked but that was all, a few. The South Rim afforded beautiful, up close views of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon with the occasional view of Lower Falls.
At the West end of the South Rim Trail we found Uncle Tom’s Trail. A brochure promised up close and personal views at the base of Lower Falls via 328 steps. Going down is easily deceptive and we all decided to go see the enormous falls.
328 steps later we were close to the falls but hardly at the base. But we were rewarded by up close views of beautiful rainbows caused by the the falls billowing mist. Then punished by a steep climb back up the crowded steps.
All in all Lower Falls is breathtakingly Beautiful. Had this short hike been miles from paved roads and other signs of civilization I would have been beside myself. As it stands now the NPS has done a terrible job of upholding their mission to leave the Natural Beauty unimpaired. But if you find yourself in Yellowstone, as I believe everyone should at least one in their life, be sure to escape the crowds on this short, easy hike along the South Rim.
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| Lower Falls from Artist Point |
Of all the attractions offered at Yellowstone, Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone proved the most rewarding. My family and I pulled up to the overflowing parking lot at Artiest Point. It took us hours just to get into the parking lot due to the clog of cars blocking the road to take pictures of an Elk. I regret to say I added to the part of yellowstone I hate by stopping myself and taking a picture of the same Elk.
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| Roadside Elk causing quite a traffic jam |
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| Lower Falls from Artiest Point |
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| Lower Falls from Artiest point |
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| Bear Frequenting Area |
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| The surprisingly desolate South Rim Trail |
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| Up Close views of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone |
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| Views along the South Rim Trail |
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| Lower Falls viewed from the South Rim Trail |
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| Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from the South Rim Trail |
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| Sign at Uncle Tom's Trail |
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| Down, down, down the Uncle Tom "trail" |
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| Lower Falls from Uncle Tom's Trail |
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| Yellowstone River from Uncle Tom's Trail |
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| Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone River |
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| Rainbow at the bottom of Lower Falls |
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| Map of Grand Canyon of Yellowstone |
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