TRAVEL / YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

YELLOWSTONE IN THE FALL
By Jim Foster

Visiting Yellowstone National Park during the fall has always been one of the high spots of my photographic year. The changing leaves mixing with the evergreens causes an explosion of color. This is also the time of the year when the wildlife are more relaxed because of the drastically reduced tourist numbers and traffic on the park roads.

One area is really worth the trip is found not far from the West entrance – the Firehole Falls. The falls is located on the Firehole River in the canyon of the same name. It would have taken more of my time but it was snowing and made photography a bit difficult. It is well worth the detour and your time. Look for the Firehole Falls loop road.

It should also be mentioned there were a goodly number of fly fishermen and women fishing the Firehole River as well as the Gibbons and the Madison. Most were catching fish in spite of the weather. One angler said he had caught over 70 fish in the two days he fished.

Fall also gives the photography near the many geothermal outlets a very interesting mood and produces at times a rather eerie image. The image of the bull elk took on this feeling.

On the down side, staying in West Yellowstone, Montana can become a challenge because of the numerous shops and restaurants closing. Some are for the season while others close for a month then open for the winter snow machine travelers. It’s a challenge.

During my late October visit there was a problem finding a good place to eat in West Yellowstone. One location, a chicken place, served a high priced biscuit that exploded (very dry) when I tried to break it in half for the butter. It shattered into a million crumbs. The chicken was good. The other small eating establishment really needs a new cook. Nuff said!

It would be a good idea to check with the West Yellowstone Chamber and the Park office for an idea of what's open and what’s closed.

All snow machine use in Yellowstone Park must be in the company of a "guide". Just how commercial are our public lands and parks going to become? Why is a guide needed when snow machines can’t leave the established roads and designated paths? You tell me. Drop me a E-Mail.

In spite of the negatives Yellowstone Park in the fall is a great outdoor experience.

For more information go to; http://www.nps.gov/yell/ and http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/