All my lodges were cabins inside the parks. They are basic, clean, and convenient for exploring the parks. The Yellowstone lodges also have cafes for meals - everything is takeout only this year.
Also visited Grand View and Inspiration Point.
This section in Mound Terrace drew interesting comments from my friends on what it looked like: butterscotch, maple syrup, caramel, pumpkin flavor, or honey. I think it looks like flan.
Also visited Undine Falls.
August 10: JAC -> Grand Teton
My flight landed at JAC airport around 12noon. Deplaned via stairs and was greeted by antler arches at the entry door. These are the same arches in Jackson.
Picked up bear spray and rental car, then had lunch in Dornan's Chuckwagon. This outdoor restaurant has views of the mountains. At the Grand Teton entrance, purchased America the Beautiful Pass. This pass allows entry to all National Parks for one year and costs $80. Grand Teton and Yellowstone each cost $35 to enter. I plan to visit other national parks over the next year, so the pass is a good deal when visiting at least 3 national parks.
Spent the afternoon enjoying views from the Jenny Lake observation point. Then rode the boat across Jenny Lake and hiked to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The Hidden Falls had a nice breeze - perfect rest stop after hiking on a warm afternoon.
Afterwords, headed to Signal Mountain to stroll along Jackson Lake and watch the sunset.
Overnight at Signal Mountain Lodge.
August 11: Grand Teton -> West Thumb -> Lake Village
Started the day with a visit to Teton Glacier viewing point.
Then continued to Taggart Lake Trailhead, and hiked to Taggart Lake. The trail was 3 miles roundtrip, and most of it was along the Taggart Creek.
Visited Jackson Lake Dam.
After lunch in Colter Village, continued on to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is very diverse: lakes, waterfalls, canyons, wildlife, and hydrothermal features. Shortly after entering, visited Lewis River Canyon.
West Thumb Geyser Basin, along Yellowstone Lake. Nice sampling of some of the park's hydrothermal features. Colorful hot springs, fumaroles (steam vents), and mud pots. The mud pots are hot springs with limited water and a higher concentration of clay and mud - these look like boiling paint pots.
Continued to Lake Village and overnight at Lake Lodge Cabins.
August 12: Lake Village -> Mud Volcano -> Grand Canyon -> Mammoth Hot Springs
Started the day by watching the sunrise over Yellowstone Lake.
Then headed towards the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Stopped at Mud Volcano on the way. Also saw some buffalo in Hayden Valley.
Upon arrival in Grand Canyon, headed to the South Rim and visited Artist Point. Then Upper Falls viewing point and then Brink of Upper Falls for a closer view. Also saw Crystal Falls.
Then went to the North Rim, visiting Lookout Point and hiking down to Red Rock Point for a close view of Lower Falls.
The Grand Canyon is about 20 miles long, with the most colorful part being the 2.5 miles stretch along the North and South Rim Drives.
Stopped in Canyon Village for lunch and huckleberry ice cream. Then drove to Mammoth Hot Springs to visit the Travertine Terraces. Here, it rained for 5 minutes - I had my poncho ready. Once the rained cleared, we had a nice cool breeze. The chalk-white terraces almost look like snow. Also lots of good views from the top of the Main Terrace boardwalk.
Overnight at Mammoth Hot Springs cabin - elk roam freely around here.
August 13: Mammoth Hot Springs -> Hayden Valley -> Norris -> Old Faithful Village
Departed Mammoth Hot Springs early, to arrive Hayden Valley early enough to have the best opportunity to see wildlife. Shortly after passing Tower-Roosevelt, encountered the first of several bison parades. These bison walked on the road, causing traffic jams. Drivers took advantage - snapping pictures of the bison while staying inside their vehicles.
Throughout Haden Valley, I saw lots of buffalo, some elk, and a large bird.
By mid-day, drove back to Mammoth Hot Springs and then to Gardiner for lunch. I saw the remnants of the buildings that caught fire a few weeks before my trip. Stopped by the Roosevelt Arch.
Visited Norris Basin in the afternoon, walking the Porcelain and Back Basins. I love the colorful springs here.
Then stopped by Beryl Spring, near Norris. This spring had strong steam puffs, which was very loud.
Stopped at Gibbon Falls, then drove through the scenic Firehole Canyon road stopping at Firehole Falls.
Visited Fountain Paint Pot.
Arrived at Old Faithful Village around 7pm, 15 minutes before the next Old Faithful eruption.
Overnight at Old Faithful Lodge.
August 14: Old Faithful Village -> Grand Prismatic -> Old Faithful Village
Walked through the Upper Geyser Basin. Plenty of hot springs (all beautiful), geysers, and fumaroles here. I loved the many colors of Morning Glory Pool. Also spotted an osprey sitting on top of a tree.
Watched the Grand geyser - it teased us with bubbling water for an hour before erupting. Grand geyser can go as high as 200 ft, and is the world's tallest predictable geyser. Spectacular eruption - worth the one hour wait. Some called geyser eruptions the Yellowstone version of fireworks.
Climbed the trail to Old Faithful observation point. Great view of Old Faithful from above.
Watched Riverside Geyser eruption. This lasted 20 minutes, and a chipmunk walked in front of the erupting geyser.
Then headed to Castle Geyser. On the way, I saw the Grand geyser erupt again, this time from a distance. The Castle Geyser eruption produced rainbows.
Late afternoon, drove to Midway Basin, and walked around Grand Prismatic Springs. At 300 feet wide, this is the largest hot spring in the United States. It is surrounded by colorful edges.
Then went to a nearby trail, which leads to an observation point for an elevated view. I liked the elevated view better since I can see the entire springs. As a bonus, I spotted some geese.
Ended the day by watching Old Faithful erupt at night, amidst a starry sky.
Overnight at Old Faithful Lodge.
August 15: Old Faithful Village -> Grand Teton -> JAC
Departed Old Faithful Village to begin the journey home. Stopped at Lewis Lake and Falls.
After exiting Yellowstone, continued south back to Grand Teton. I took the Teton Park road, for another look at the Tetons. Drove up Signal Mountain for views of the region, as well as an elevated view of Jackson Lake.
Then continued on the scenic Teton Road, arriving at Donan's to have lunch. Finally, continued to JAC airport to return rental car and fly home.
