Tonelli's Travels

To be honest, we left Yellowstone about a week ago. It was wonderful and busy and active, and I was too tired most days to blog. Plus, we had no cell service or internet access. I enjoyed being disconnected and took time to enjoy each day, journaling about my favorite memories. Don’t worry, I’ll still update you about all the adventures – just know they aren’t in real time. Hopefully you’ll cut me some slack. 😉

After summiting Observation Peak, climbing 1,400 feet in 2.6 miles to a 9, 406 foot peak, we were tired. Hiking at high elevation is no joke! So, the following day we decided to take it easy. Or, as easy as we know how.

We drove out to the beginning North Rim trail along the Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone to a “light walk” to capture views of the beautiful colors and raging river below. The canyon has been evolving over hundreds or years as the water racing through erodes the soft, decomposing rhyolite lava rock. At points the canyon is 4,000 feet wide and 1, 200 feet deep. It all, it is about 24 miles long.

We parked at the Upper Falls lot and headed out to Crystal Falls, the smallest of three waterfalls that has helped shaped the canyon. The sound of rushing water was relaxing. Continuing on, we walked down the mostly paved path, curving down and around to the top of the falls and then climbing back up to the roadside. So far, not too bad.

On our way, we pulled over to admire the glowing yellows, oranges, and reds of the weathered canyon walls. Across the top, pine trees sat comfortably, all the way up to the very edges. Below, the canyon sides dropped dramatically, rippling here and there down the corridor. At points hoodoos, tall rock towers stood strong marking the hardest rock that had yet been chipped away. Far, far below the turquoise water flowed downstream.

Eventually we came to the Lower Falls area and I decided to head for the brink of the falls, the top of the waterfall where the river rushes over the ledge. Little did I realize it was down, down, down in the canyon. About 10 switchbacks later, we finally reached the lookout area. Down wasn’t too bad, but up was another story. Sorry Mom and Dad! However, we were rewarded with a powerful display of nature. The water roaring over the edge, falling into the river below, was magnificent. The glimmering blue green water turned white and frothy as it pounded the rock below. It sprayed it all directions, creating mist that cooled our faces and created a lush garden on the canyon walls below. I would have watched it all day.

Eventually we did make the effort-full hike back to the top and explored farther down the canyon. When we felt we had gone far enough, we turned around and headed for the car. But we weren’t done yet! First we checked out the Upper Falls – a much easier place to access – and again saw the beauty of the Yellowstone River up close. Then we piled in the car and drove over the the South Rim.

We decided to drive this point. 😉 We got out at one lookout – Artist Point – and weren’t disappointed. The colors here were even more brilliant than before, like a pastel morning sunrise. The yellow lava from an ancient eruption was golden in the sunshine. And the Upper Falls glistened in the background.

It was another full day, more energetic than planned, but well worth the effort. I can appreciate why the  Apsáalooke (Crow) consider this land sacred. The National Museum of the American Indian recorded this quote from a letter to Custer National Forest from George Reed, former Chairman of Crow Cultural Committee, 2007, which captures it perfectly, “All the mountain ranges in the territory of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation are sacred because that is where First Maker travels as he watches his creation.” The Yellowstone River was crucial to the tribes culture and history. To learn more, check out this website.