Tag: Yellowstone River

SNAP*Shot: Lower Falls in Winter

Posted on by Joy

Yellowstone in the white of winter is a stunning wonderland. The Lower Falls is magical in winter with baby-blue ice growing thicker and wider in this frigid season where temps reach -30 degrees and colder.

An ice cone forms at the base of the falls from splash, mist, and snowfall. It can grow 2/3 the height of the falls itself. The water, thick with cold, crashes down 308 feet sending mist into the air taller than the falls. From Lookout Point, the roar of falling water is muffled by the snow and ice buildup, but once at the bottom, the Yellowstone River flows downhill and north into Paradise Valley and ultimately to the Missouri River.

The beauty of this place just begs for us to linger, but as the wind picks up, we don’t have enough layers to keep the freezing chill at bay. Time to return to the warmth of the snowcoach and smile at the beauty of this special place wrapped in winter white.

Lower Falls in Winter

SNAP*Shot: Yellowstone’s Iconic Lower Falls

Posted on by Joy

The best known site in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the Lower Falls. Twice as tall as Niagara Falls, water drops 308 feet resulting in mist and froth at its base adding drama and beauty. During the autumn when water flow is at its lowest, about 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters) of water per SECOND drops to the canyon floor. During peak spring runoff 63,500 gallons (240,000 liters) per SECOND thunders over the brink.

The 20-mile long canyon is up to 1,200 feet deep and up to 4,000 feet wide. The beauty of the deep V-shaped canyon wall colors frame the gorgeous falls. The colors come from different levels of thermal intensity interacting with the rhyolite walls. You can see some of the thermal activity in the canyon walls during the day, but when the temperatures drop you’ll be amazing at all the thermals up and down the walls spewing their steam and losing their anonymity.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Never forget, it is amazing what finding a great spot to relax and beautiful light can do for your spirit. Enjoy . . .

 

SNAP*Shot: Harlequin Ducks

Posted on by Joy

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Turbulent, icy cold waters is where you will find these small, brightly colored waterfowl called Harlequins ducks. The largest ducks are about 16″ from the tip of their tail to tip of their bill. In winter they choose the roughest northern coastal waters, but in summer they grace the wild, swirling LeHardy Rapids on the Yellowstone River to mate. The females will remain here raising the young through the summer, returning north in early autumn. These diving ducks feed on crustaceans, small fish, insects, and other assorted life they find as they swim underwater and even walk on the bottom searching the rocks for food. Studies have shown many adult Harlequins have had broken bones, probably a result of living in such rough surroundings. Welcome back Harlequins!

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