Photography Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is the oldest park system in the United States and without doubt, its premier national park. Visitors to the park, who average annually three million, come here not only to reconnect with nature that existed in a manner before advancement and technology invaded the space. Paradoxically, Yellowstone is seen as the focal point of America’s wild and untamed country, as much as it is seen as a fallout of the right and wrong of an upsurge of activity, termed “industrial tourism”.
Located in Northwest Wyoming, the park attracts tourists for its turbulent, restless and craggy landscape which is one of the most geologically active locations with frequent earthquakes, its hot springs and geysers, gray wolves and grizzlies, mountain buffalo and bison, wolves and elk, to fish trout in the Madison river and to visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its overwhelming size and colorful hues
The best and simple way to visit the park is to choose an area and mode of transport – walking, paddling, riding and canoeing to absorb the exquisite beauty and calm of the place, rather than trying to take it all in one go. For first timers, Washburn Spur Trail which starts at the Dunraven Pass Trailhead to Mount Washburn and finishes at the Glacial Boulder on Inspiration Point Road is a good place to start with. The trail goes through spectacular viewpoints and valleys with wildflowers in bloom. A hike along this trail showcases a wide variety of wildlife not seen elsewhere like marmots, red foxes and bighorn sheep. Tourists visiting Yellowstone for the first time are somewhat taken aback and surprised by the abundance of so many animals wandering free and it’s quite an adventure going round these trails not knowing what you may expect to see around the bend ahead.
Lamar Valley is one such place but is best visited along with a park ranger who can guide you along and give tips and information on the extraordinary wildlife. This way you can be in the right spot at the right time to see wolves, bison, grizzlies, coyotes, eagles and so many more. Fishing for trout along the Yellowstone streams can be quite an exercise but it takes a certain amount of courage and the thrill of having an unmatched experience.
Horseback packing is another adventure mode of travel within Yellowstone. The Thorofare, a route used by ancient Indian to trap animals, offers the most spectacular scenery. Adventure companies and ranches can outfit trekkers for the trip, traveling by horse and camping by night in the wild wilderness is a rare experience altogether. Camping at chosen sites around the park is the best way to see the abundance of flora and fauna that the park has on offer.
The Yellowstone Institute offers a variety of classes for people to interact with Yellowstone in a most natural and informative way. Wildlife photography, fly fishing, canoeing, camping, horse packing are some skills that are taught by experts in the field at rates which are a bargain.
Yellowstone Park has five entrances which are all open in summer. These can be reached by flying to the nearest city and then going by car. Commercial bus lines are also available on certain routes but these are the least preferred option.
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Yellowstone National park – Photography by Pouneh Ordibehesht
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