After finding our campsite, we were off on our first excursion. We considered wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley or visiting Old Faithful, but after the drive we were ready for a hike so we headed to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
A drive through Canyon Village to the South Rim of the Yellowstone River brought us to the parking area at Uncle Tom’s Point. We soon headed across the parking lot, away from the river, toward the Clear Lake Trail.
Clear Lake
In about a mile we discovered that Clear Lake lived up to its name. It was clear and beautiful and stinky. This was only an introductory whiff of the sulfur smell of the geothermal features that we would continuously re-discover over the next few days.
Along the trail we passed thermal features gurgling and boiling. They were just holes in the ground and at first I thought they were animal dens with an animal making noise inside. When I noticed the alien landscape that now surrounded us, I realized this was geothermal activity.
The trail started in a green, grassy field. In less than two miles it looked like we were walking on the surface of the moon.
Lily Pad Lake
At about the 1.5 mile point we took the turn off on our left to another aptly named body of water: Lily Pad Lake. Big fans of literal naming conventions in these parts.
Again, the greenery seemed out of place with the bareness we had just passed through.
Point Sublime Trail
In less than a quarter mile beyond Lily Pad Lake we reached the trail that overlooks the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Our trail dropped us off at the Artist Point and Point Sublime Junction. Our car was east toward Artist Point but we headed west toward Point Sublime to soak in the views and the solitude.
Artists Point
After a canyon-top photoshoot and a sufficient amount of time to soak in the mesmerizing colors of the canyon, we headed back. At Artist Point there were more people on one overlook than we had encountered the entire trip. But the view easily explains why.
Uncle Tom’s Trail
From here it was an easy, paved walk back towards our car. We stopped along the way and took Uncle Tom’s Trail. Well, it’s less of a trail and more of a descent. 328 steps later we were at the bottom of the canyon looking up at the Lower Falls.
The new angle gave us a different perspective and let us realize just how magnificent 308 foot waterfall truly was. It also caused a dramatic change in temperature as evidence by the snow we found at the bottom.
We lingered at the bottom longer than intended because we knew what came next: the long climb back to the rim.
Upper Falls Overlook
After reaching the top we continued on to the Upper Falls Overlook.
Refuel
We refueled after the hike with a bison burger and a beer in Canyon Village to celebrate reaching 100 National Park Service Sites. The beer was 1891 Summer Ale by Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company and was created to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Lake Lodge Hotel in Yellowstone National Park.
Go
Ready to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone? Pin or share the image below to tell your friends you’re headed to Yellowstone National Park.
Learn More
Check out these posts for more information about visiting Yellowstone National Park:
Yellowstone National Park Overview
Camping in Yellowstone National Park
Geysers in Yellowstone National Park
Secret Swimming Spots in Yellowstone National Park
Best Photo Spots in Yellowstone National Park
