Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.
Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!
More of Richard Knight's Photos
Photo Info
Enter "Best of..."!
FOR SALE
Q: Do you still have a magazine?
A: Do you know?
Photo license: © All rights reserved
[Yellowstone National Park, March 3, 2011]
This was my first trip to Yellowstone in the wintertime, and I was determined to make the most of it.
I made West Yellowstone, Montana my base camp. From there, I could visit “Old Faithful” and the geyser basins in a day, and the “Grand Canyon” of the Yellowstone River in another day.
Linda said I was “too creaky” to go snowmobiling in the Park, where winter temps can dip to minus 30° F. in the daytime, so I signed up for a snow coach both days. As it turned out, the temps never dropped below 20° F. on either day I was in the Park. But, the wind made it feel much colder.
We got underway at 8 A.M. Our destination was Old Faithful. I was riding shotgun with the driver (an orthopedic surgeon my own age, who had retired when he was 50 for the privilege of living in this wilderness paradise).
In the first photo (upper left, shot through the windshield and over the hood), we are entering the Park on the main road, which is covered by about two feet of compacted snow.
We run parallel to the Jefferson River, which remains “open” all year despite the sub-zero temperatures, thanks to the hot springs that feed it and nearby thermal activity. This, in turn, thaws the riverbanks and attracts a number of large animals, which winter there (upper right).
We reach Madison Junction, and turn south toward the geyser basins. For the next sixteen miles, we are treated to a succession of thermal features, each of them geologically distinct. Everywhere steam rises. This is where earth meets sky (two small photos at lower right).
The Park is empty. There are few snowmobiles to break the quiet. The wind picks up. Snow is in the air. Life is good.
Under the circumstances, it seems hard to believe that 3.2 million people will line these roads during June, July, and August.
Next stop: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
[My thanks to Elfi for the spotlight! She knows a "thing or two" about the winter! LOL]
39 responses
-
Donald Garrett gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Wonderful, wonderful!! Sure makes me want to bundle up and head out there!
-
Dunja Kolar gave props (24 Mar 2011):
great collage
-
Sonia Adam Murray gave props (24 Mar 2011):
It looks so beautiful Dick and your recording makes me feel as if I may have been in your pocket!
-
daniele castellucchio gave props (24 Mar 2011):
great comp!!!
-
Iztok Urh gave props (24 Mar 2011):
great photo!
-
elfriede fulda gave props (24 Mar 2011):
I truly love Winter shots, this is awesome , such a beautiful place.and captured so well..okay , maybe the Winter is a bit long lol..!!
-
Camera Junkie gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Outstanding, Dick!
-
Susan Littlefield gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Since I live in the type of area you refer to as 'Paradise' I have no desire to head that way in the winter. Summer is a different story...we visited Yellowstone last summer, and your beautiful photos bring back such wonderful memories. We also stayed in West Yellowstone. I was so impressed with the amazing colors of the hot springs, as shown in your lower left photo, as well as the number of bison roaming everywhere. Thank you so much for reminding me of this gorgeous area, which can be appreciated in any season (except by me in the winter!!)
-
Bruce Miller (Deleted) gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Terrific shots Mr.!
-
Litz Go gave props (24 Mar 2011):
I feel like I never miss any of the wonderful places you are showing us RV. Thank you for sharing. When I retire, I wanted to be in your shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
-
Debrah Leonard (Deleted) gave props (24 Mar 2011):
I agree with the above.... a truly wonderful collage.
-
Carol Holmes gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Beautiful collage...you're so lucky to be able to travel, I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, I can't wait t see your images from there!
-
Warren ~Mangione~ gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Simply put, Gorgeous!~ I bet you totally loved it!
-
Nicole DeVita gave props (24 Mar 2011):
Thank you so much for all of the info and these amazing shots!!! 30 below might be a bit too cold for me, but as the wolf is my fav animal I think I might just have to brave it!!!
-
Andrea Petersen gave props (24 Mar 2011):
I can feel the wind just by looking at the sky on the bottom left photo.... you got some great pictures of your adventure...
-
John Linton gave props (25 Mar 2011):
And the Tychtastic! series continues...
-
Maria Mutch (Deleted) gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Utterly beautiful collection --I love your words: "life is good." It is!! Especially with views like that.
-
dp * gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Thanks for the tour and wonderful words. Very nice collection of photos.
-
Nancy Richard gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Ah, at last!......the photos I've been waiting for. Love it!!! My experience was slightly different from yours, having come in from the south entrance.
-
Regenia Brabham gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Sign me up for the summer tour! This is another great tour and collage BB!! I do enjoy your adventure.
-
Carl Kuntze gave props (25 Mar 2011):
I really appreciate this. I live closeby, but have never been there. Thanks.
-
dana iordan gave props (25 Mar 2011):
What a beautiful adventure! And it DOES look like a paradise.
-
Carlo Pagan gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Fantastic work!!!
-
Oregon Curly gave props (25 Mar 2011):
WOW! What an adventure that was, thanks for the narrative as well. I can't think of a season when the park isn't breathtaking, except perhaps in summer when there are so many tourists that one can see much of anything, nor easily stop to look around. Your shots bring back memories of several fall trips, and make us eagerly await our trip there this spring to see all the young'uns out and about.
-
JanElle gave props (25 Mar 2011):
Such a glorious and pristine landscape.. and the geysers are incredible! Thank you for sharing!
-
Leslie Hunziker gave props (25 Mar 2011):
I've never been. Always wanted to go, but now even more so! awesome photography.
-
Betty Maxey gave props (26 Mar 2011):
What a beautiful place.... even in winter!
-
Winky Vivas (Deleted) said (26 Mar 2011):
A beautiful place, indeed! A wonderful collage and narrative. Juanita and I will have to check this park out, for sure...
-
Patty Gross gave props (26 Mar 2011):
Beautifully done, Richard!! All the photos and descriptive narratives in this wonderful collage are "spot on!" I like your photos because they are always so nice and sharp and clear.....I don't have to try to figure out what they are. Gorgeous work you've done here!!!
-
Judy and Wayne Wanamaker gave props (27 Mar 2011):
What a beautiful tour! Thanks for sharing it with us! We were there in Oct. of '76, just before the snow. It was really cold then too.
-
dawn duffield gave props (29 Mar 2011):
These are wonderful!!! The cloud (lower right) captivating images!
-
Christopher J Chalk gave props (29 Mar 2011):
Great work Dick, hope you weren't driving when you took that pic from the car - :)
-
Ronnie Ginnever gave props (1 Apr 2011):
Wonderful memories. I did this trip in the summer in the mid 90's. This looks like a winter wonderland.
-
Debbie Smartt gave props (3 Apr 2011):
Again you take me there with your story and photos! Great work Dick!
-
Jean Pierre Vacherot (Deleted) gave props (3 Apr 2011):
Wonderful landscape
-
Steven Schutz gave props (4 Apr 2011):
Great shots showing the natural beauty of the region...Thank You for sharing King Richard...
-
Camil Seisanu gave props (21 Apr 2011):
way tooooo cool ! congrats ! :)
-
peggy maguire said (30 Apr 2011):
This winter collage is beautiful,never been up that way,but would like to see this in person....Don't know about feeling the cold though !!!
-
je suis moi gave props (14 May 2011):
What a beautiful wonderful place.
Also by Richard Knight
