June 30, 2013: Reed Point, MT to Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone, WY

We drove south to Red Lodge to start the Beartooth Highway - considered one of the most scenic drives in America.  It was truly astounding -- mountain peaks with snow still clinging in spots, miniature wildflowers above the treeline, gnarly pine trees, deep blue lakes, lazy streams that suddenly rush over rapids and then crash over a cliff in a riotous waterfall.  The road tops out at just 10,000 feet at Beartooth Pass.  The photos just don't do justice to everything we saw.

Glimpse of the switchback road
 



 


 
When returning down a gravel path from an alpine lake, we saw a man waving a large antenna-looking contraption.  I had to ask,  "whatcha doin?" and he explained that he was on his way to the ski slopes (yup, on June 30th!) and he decided to stop a see if he could find some foxes that had been tagged and released. 
 
We arrived in Mammoth Hot Springs in the northwestern part of Yellowstone and got a nice campsite right in the park, but no electric or water.  It was 90+ degrees and with no electricity, we had no AC, so went exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.  We had been here quite a few years ago, but the Terraces were dry.  This time, they had water flowing and were incredibly beautiful. 
 
 

We returned to the RV, made dinner, sat outside a while, played cards and enjoyed a great nights sleep in the cool, quiet, super dark night.
 

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