Back From Yellowstone N.P.
May 23, 2023 09:57:47 #
It was a different YNP this year with all the construction and construction traffic going on in the Lamar Valley area. For anyone planning on visiting the northern section of YNP, be advised of long construction delays especially in the afternoon. Both the Gardiner River and Yellowstone River bridges are under repair and down to one lane with stoplights at both ends. Significant construction work is being done just east of Slough Creek and again east of the Trout Lake parking lot are down to one lane also. The "comfort stations" at Pebble Creek, Soda Butte Creek and Warm Creek rest areas are closed for the season also for repairs. Recovering from last years flood damage has required significant effort. Lastly, the north entrance at Gardiner now has a new steep, winding road that will test RVers!!
After experiencing the above for several days, we cut our time in YNP short and toured areas in Montana and Idaho. Places we had never been before and some we had but hadn't been in a while. Anyhow, one of our stops was to the Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray, Montana which is about 30 miles north of YNP. Fun place to spend time in an old historic (1890's) facility! The Resort has a marvelous restaurant. Reservations are suggested for both the restaurant and hotel...there were none available when we were there.
After experiencing the above for several days, we cut our time in YNP short and toured areas in Montana and Idaho. Places we had never been before and some we had but hadn't been in a while. Anyhow, one of our stops was to the Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray, Montana which is about 30 miles north of YNP. Fun place to spend time in an old historic (1890's) facility! The Resort has a marvelous restaurant. Reservations are suggested for both the restaurant and hotel...there were none available when we were there.
Usually a first stop to clear the dust out of one's throat! A neat old western bar inside.
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The hotel does have its rules!
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Temps in the shaded pool was 103* and the outdoor pool 98*.
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Several of these unique benches were around the resort grounds.
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My wife taking a break...she would like one of these benches for our patio!
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A brief history of the facility.
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May 23, 2023 10:27:26 #
May 23, 2023 11:08:53 #
May 23, 2023 11:29:38 #
jederick wrote:
It was a different YNP this year with all the cons... (show quote)
Cool hot springs shots ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
May 23, 2023 18:48:28 #
kpmac wrote:
Nice set, jederick. Not the usual tourist shots, that's for sure.
Thank you Ken...just a few photos of a place most will never visit.
May 23, 2023 18:50:53 #
UTMike wrote:
Nice work, Jim! Think they will be finished in YNP by September?
The smaller projects should be completed. The new bridge over the Yellowstone River, no, and probably not the bigger projects on the east end of Lamar Valley.
May 23, 2023 18:51:41 #
joecichjr wrote:
Cool hot springs shots ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Many thanks, Joe...love your sun's!!
May 23, 2023 19:21:54 #
May 23, 2023 22:28:00 #
DaveO wrote:
Fine job as usual!
Is Trout Lake still accessible?
Is Trout Lake still accessible?
Yes, the parking lot is still there. The work begins immediately past the parking area. They have rerouted the road and are in the processing of grading the slope leading to the road. Looks like the rerouted section of the road is temporary. You may have an easier time with the roads and traffic in September as some of the work should be completed. Can't imagine the fun in getting behind a double trailer belly dumper loaded with gravel going up the north entrance on the new road. That four miles (at 5:30 am) took 25 minutes.
May 24, 2023 05:44:19 #
jederick wrote:
Yes, the parking lot is still there. The work beg... (show quote)
Thanx for the report! We like scooting out to Trout Lake and then hiking a little northeast to Buck Lake and shooting Abiathar Peak and Amphitheater in the background. We often have lunch at Warm Creek. How are the new pull-outs north of Chittenden looking out over Antelope Creek Valley? Not many reports yet from the spring crowd. We'll tolerate the delays! We have to make reservations a year in advance! The construction delays above Norris bring back memories and hopefully it'll be better on this trip!
Hope we catch you late September!
May 24, 2023 05:50:29 #
May 24, 2023 08:00:43 #
May 24, 2023 08:19:38 #
Wonderful set, Jim. Sorry to read that getting around with all of the construction was so dreadful, 25 minutes to go 4 miles at 5:30am; Yikes! Loved seeing and learning about the Chico resort. Great photos and story.
May 24, 2023 12:21:36 #
DaveO wrote:
Thanx for the report! We like scooting out to Tro... (show quote)
Me too! Will check on how the construction projects are going then and will let you know!!
May 24, 2023 12:21:59 #
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