Day 9 - Yellowstone NP to Helena, MT
Highlights: Last drive thru Lamar Valley; horseback riding at Roosevelt Stables; departing Yellowstone thru Roosevelt Gate.
We wanted to get out before sunrise to see the wolves in Lamar Valley one last time, but the kids were pretty tired, as were we, from the last few days. We didn't check out until 8am, but still managed to see a mule deer fording a stream, swallows nesting, and a coyote along a stream in Lamar Valley.
We also scouted out Pebble Creek and Slough Creek, the two Northeast campgrounds, in case we ever wanted to stay there on a future trip. The campgrounds are primitive, but you'd be right in the thick of the wildlife.
We had one more fun activity planned in Yellowstone - horseback riding at the Roosevelt Lodge which we had made reservations for a couple of days ago. Stopped at the Roosevelt Lodge for lunch and ran into the Moore's again. Maybe the park isn't that big :-). We moved up our horseback riding time so we could all ride together. It was a nice leisurely ride with just a little bit of excitement when we had to ride around a herd of bison blocking the trail.
Finally departed Yellowstone via Mammoth, Roosevelt Gate and thru Gardiner.
Drove to Helena and spent the night near the State Capitol building.
Day's tally: 280 miles, 10 hrs
View Day 9 Cooke City to Helena, MT in a larger map
We wanted to get out before sunrise to see the wolves in Lamar Valley one last time, but the kids were pretty tired, as were we, from the last few days. We didn't check out until 8am, but still managed to see a mule deer fording a stream, swallows nesting, and a coyote along a stream in Lamar Valley.
We also scouted out Pebble Creek and Slough Creek, the two Northeast campgrounds, in case we ever wanted to stay there on a future trip. The campgrounds are primitive, but you'd be right in the thick of the wildlife.
We had one more fun activity planned in Yellowstone - horseback riding at the Roosevelt Lodge which we had made reservations for a couple of days ago. Stopped at the Roosevelt Lodge for lunch and ran into the Moore's again. Maybe the park isn't that big :-). We moved up our horseback riding time so we could all ride together. It was a nice leisurely ride with just a little bit of excitement when we had to ride around a herd of bison blocking the trail.
Finally departed Yellowstone via Mammoth, Roosevelt Gate and thru Gardiner.
Drove to Helena and spent the night near the State Capitol building.
Day's tally: 280 miles, 10 hrs
View Day 9 Cooke City to Helena, MT in a larger map
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