Swan Lake, Hayden Valley and Bison Pictures

On Friday as I was heading down to Lake this is what greeted me on Swan Lake Flats. It was white-out conditions which caused me concern as to what I was going to find at Hayden Valley. The worry was for nothing as the roads were mostly clear even though the wind was blowing. There were a few snowdrifts on the road to maneuver around but it was not as bad as I had anticipated.

Not far after the Flats I watched a coyote fighting off the wind. The picture does not show it well but his fur was really moving with the wind.

A herd of bison were wandering around the thermal features by Mud Volcano.

After a few days of snow and wind Hayden Valley was thick with white on Sunday. There were only a couple lone bison that I could see. They were either laying in the snow or just standing. I watched this one for awhile as a bald eagle flew overhead.

Dragon's Mouth was puffing up it's steamy vapors.

View of Hayden Valley after snow.

The Yellowstone River and a thermal feature. It was a beautiful sight.

The snowdrifts in Hayden Valley were getting rather high. Luckily the wind had calmed and the snow had stopped so driving on Sunday was much easier. Right after I took this picture a snowplow came around the corner - just 1 of 3 vehicles that I saw the entire 50 mile trip back to Mammoth.

I currently have all my stuff packed into boxes ready to be hauled down to Canyon. I made a few stops in Gardiner to finish up some business and then I will be on my way this afternoon. Yesterday a few of my Mammoth friends stopped in the store to say goodbye with promises of stopping in at the Adventure Store to see me this summer. I didn't realize how many people I have come to know in Mammoth and it was certainly a bittersweet day.