Mammoth Hot Springs

On Thursday morning we decided to move to Mammoth Hot Springs so we could get a better look at the northern part of Yellowstone. After we got the motorhome settled in the campgroung we toured the Terraces a series of thermal seeps offering a surreal landscape.

Upper Terrace View

On Friday morning we made some breakfast sandwiches and got ready for a tour of Lamar Valley. When I went to load the car I found myself amid a herd of Elk and got some great close up shots of a big bull elk.

Campground Elk

On the way to Lamar Valley we took a detour up the Blacktail Plateau Drive, a gravel side road, were we decided to have our breakfast sandwiches while overlooking the beautiful countryside.

View from Blacktail Plateau

As we entered the Lamar Valley I got a shot of a Pronghorn at the crest of a hill.

Pronghorn

The Lamar Valley is often called the Serengeti of the USA with its large population of animals. The Bison count in the valley is about 800 along with significant herds of elk, pronghorn and mule deer.

Lamar Valley

We took a detour to drive the road to Slough Creek. At the trailhead we hiked in about two miles along the creek and got some beautiful views including watching four mule deer cross the creek.

Slough Creek View

Mule Deer Crossing Slough Creek

On the way out we got a few good shots of a chipmunk.

Chipmunk

Driving out of Slough Creek I got a few good shots of a lone Bison. He was kind enough to pose for us with the beautiful Lamar Valley in the background.

Bison

All in all it was a wonderful day in a beautiful area of the world.