Many miles of burned forest remain from the fire of 1988 (photo taken 1999). I was amazed that it has taken so long for the forest to replenish itself. But, the elevation is high, the latitude is high, so I should not have been surprised.

While we're talking about many miles, I'll say something about the distances from one spot to another in the park. It's a long way, not necessarily in miles, but in time. I met a couple from Pennsylvania who were distressed that they were not getting to see as many things as they wanted because it was taking so long. The man apparently thought he could make time as though he were on the Interstate, and was unhappy driving 20-30 miles per hour and stopping for elk and buffalo every few miles.

One of the many reasons why you cannot
see all of Yellowstone in one day.

If you intend to see, for instance, Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, and everything in between, expect to spend at least all of a long day doing that. And even at that, you will just have scratched the surface. My advice: take your time. Plan several visits through the years. Stay in each area two or three days and enjoy them unhurriedly. Come back to that area in a different season. See a specific vantage point at different times of day and in different weather. Enjoy your trip, don't just hurry through it. End of sermon.

 

 

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