Today’s plan is what works best with the rhythm of Yellowstone. Up early, drive to features and planned destination, pictures galore, then a noon-time reset onto a trail and ride until no later than 3pm. Stores, delis and restaurants close around 5pm, so feed by 5pm, then a small trail or short visit. Early to bed because by nightfall every beast is hunkering down for the night.
Morning drive to Mammoth met with construction delays, and a herd of buffalo walking down the main road blocking traffic for another 15 mins.
Mammoth is my favorite feature with a very large area of unique terraces, pools, and travertine features. There is lots of walking and stairs to take to get around to see the area.
After a break, I rode to the North Entrance, parked near the guard station, and cycled up a continuous dirt trail – Old Gardiner Road. It ended in Mammoth Springs in town.
It turned sunny and I enjoyed Mammoth Springs, a town inside the park where elk were laying around everywhere like they owned the place. Of greater interest was watching park rangers try to keep human’s a good distance from the wildlife.
