Yellowstone Natl Park - Day 5 - Sept 21

We awoke to a very cloudy day and snow - are we proceeded to the park entrance we where not hopeful that the roads would be open and sure enough - all roads except the road to Manmouth Springs and the Lamar valley where indeed closed. And as it was still snowing there was no time when it it was expected they would be opened.

As it turned out, this worked out just fine. We had not visited the Hot springs are yet...so what better time then in a snow storm. It did provide a rather spectacular setting to observe the hot spring. ass you can see from the photo below.

mammoth hot springs view looking down at parking area.

Overflow from hot springs...no snow here.

There is boardwalk that you can walk around the entire hot springs area, and although it was snow covered, it proved rather easy to navigate.

Mammouth Springs in the snow - wife and I

Mammouth Springs boardwalk entrance sign

After exploring the area, it was once again a quick drive along the Lamar Valley Raod in search of wildlife - and as usual we where not disappointed. we saw Pronghorn. Elk, Buffalo, Moose, Coyoto, Mule Deer and Bighorn Sheep.

Elk - a big bull in the middle of the photo

Sunshine on the mountain tops

 We did have one surprise

....a coyote in the parking lot as we where looking at Buffalo.

Another surprise as we where leaving for the day...some Black Tail deer...the first we had seen/

We exited the park about 7pm and returned to our rental for dinner and a good nights rest..tomorrow would be our last day in the park..how quickly time flies.