Tower Fall and Dunvegan Pass

 After wrapping up our Mammoth tour, we made our way back down the now-familiar route to Canyon Village. Along the way, we paused at Tower Fall, taking extra time to soak in the surrounding scenery, starting with the waterfall itself.

During our walk along the trail to the falls, we spotted an interesting little creature—a woolly bear caterpillar—minding its own business.

A nearby roadside pullout offered a striking view of the Yellowstone River winding past Tower Fall.

Looming above the area is the impressive volcanic basalt formation known as Overhanging Cliff, casting its shadow over the viewpoint.

After leaving Tower Fall, we headed up Dunraven Pass toward Mount Washburn, pausing at several lookout spots in hopes of spotting a rare bear or wolf. 

Although we faced a few letdowns along the way, our patience paid off when a coyote appeared just a few metres from the lookout!

We were thrilled as we watched him trot down the hillside and disappear into the tall, dry grass—blending in so seamlessly he was nearly impossible to spot.

At the next scenic stop, we had another memorable wildlife encounter—this time with a massive bison bull. Unfazed and determined, he stayed his course, bringing traffic to a standstill in classic Yellowstone fashion.

The bison slowly made his way toward the lookout where we were parked, grazing as he went. He strolled directly beside and in front of our car, paused to scratch himself against the wooden barriers, and then calmly continued up the hill.

Although we felt a bit uneasy being so close to such a massive animal—especially one known for its temper—we kept a respectful distance, and he paid us little mind. It was yet another incredible wildlife moment we’d been hoping for since the day began.

As we began our descent into Canyon Village, we made time for one final lookout stop. From this vantage point, we could take in the dramatic ravine of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with the distant, snow-capped peaks of the eastern ridge of the Yellowstone Caldera stretching across the horizon—a fitting end to our day of exploration.

Mammoth Hot Springs - Upper Terraces

 

Upon arriving at Fort Yellowstone in the Mammoth area, we made our way to the dining room for lunch before setting off to explore the famed Mammoth Terraces.

We began our visit at the Lower Terraces, where elk lounged once again on the pale, mineral-coated steps—just as they had a few days earlier. 

This area also marks the beginning of the boardwalk that winds its way up and around Minerva Terrace clinging to the hill above.

While Minerva Terrace itself felt somewhat underwhelming, the sweeping views overlooking Fort Yellowstone and the winding Gardiner River Valley, as it flows into the park from Montana to the north.

Near the trail’s end, you’ll find a vantage point overlooking Palette Springs—the thermal source responsible for feeding the brilliant white formations of the Lower Terraces.

After returning to the car, we made our way up the hill to the Upper Terrace Loop,that lets you view various geothermal features from the comfort of your vehicle. While many of the formations are relatively modest, one particularly striking highlight is Orange Spring Mound, which shimmered in the sunlight with vibrant, mineral-rich hues.

Angel Terrace stands out as another prominent feature of the Upper Terrace area. Its brilliant white mineral deposits are so strikingly bright, they could easily be mistaken for fresh snowfall.

Lamar Valley

The temperature dipped just below freezing overnight, making for a chilly start to the day. We hit the road early, eager to spot some wildlife (particularly bears and wolves) along the North East Entrance Road that meanders through the scenic Lamar Valley.

Dunraven Pass

To get to the Lamar Valley, we once again found ourselves winding through the steep yet picturesque Dunraven Pass. The crisp, clear morning offered stunning visibility from the various lookout spots along the route.

Tower Fall Close Encounter

Not far past the Tower Fall parking area, we were fortunate to spot a pair of mountain sheep grazing right next to the roadside.

We weren’t the only ones captivated by the sight—other wildlife enthusiasts had also gathered, hoping to snap close-up shots of these peaceful animals.

It was a rare and peaceful moment to be so near the mountain sheep, with neither the animals nor the people feeling uneasy or threatened.

Naturally, we managed to capture some incredible close-up shots of the mountain sheep.

Lamar Valley

After leaving the mountain sheep to graze undisturbed, we continued on to Tower Junction and turned onto the Northeast Entrance Road. Our original plan was to follow the route nearly all the way to Silver Gate, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. However, those plans quickly changed when we hit a construction zone that brought traffic to a standstill—with delays stretching over 30 minutes.

Forced to change course, we turned back and took a detour onto a side road that winds along Slough Creek. Almost immediately, our decision paid off—when we stopped at a nearby lookout, we spotted a large herd of bison grazing just a short distance away.

In contrast to the forested terrain of the Canyon area, the Lamar Valley is dominated by expansive grasslands—an ideal habitat that naturally draws the park’s massive bison herds.

We were fortunate to spot a coyote in the distance, intently hunting unseen prey across the open terrain.

Even with a long lens, capturing a clear photo of the distant coyote proved to be a challenge.

As the herd crossed the creek, they were followed by a family of magpies, either opportunistically snatching up insects stirred by the bison or defending their turf from the massive intruders.

As we watched the bison crossing the creek, we suddenly realized the rest of the herd had appeared from behind, much closer than expected.

Aware of the bison’s tendency for sudden aggression, we made sure to maintain a safe distance. The herd, undisturbed by our presence, continued on calmly as though we didn’t exist.

As we departed Slough Creek and made our way back toward Tower Junction, the bison once again took over the scene—this time by crossing the main road and triggering another unexpected traffic jam.

One of the big bulls walked straight in front of our car making me very nervous.

Eventually, the animals cleared the road and wandered off into the grasslands, resuming their routine undisturbed.

We continued on as well, quickly shifting our original plans, to return to the Mammoth Hot Springs area, where we had more to explore.

Just before reaching Mammoth, we paused to hike the short trail to Wraith Falls—one of Yellowstone’s many waterfalls and among the more easily accessible. Unfortunately, the falls were underwhelming, reduced to a mere trickle due to the dry season’s late-stage conditions. After a brief visit, we headed back to the car and resumed our journey to Mammoth Hot Springs.