LeHardy Rapids
Our first stop today was at LeHardy Rapids.
To see the rapids, we drove to a small parking area about 5 miles from our campsite. After parking, we followed a trail along the Yellowstone River to view the rapids. Our walk along the Yellowstone River was all that a person could want a morning walk to be. It was sunny. It was cool. The air, fresh and clean. The sunlight sparkled on the water as the river flowed swiftly past us. There were only a few people, and there were no bears.
There was also no fishing. Like the “Fishing Bridge” area, fishing is restricted in this area because it is a spawning area for the cutthroat trout. According to the NPS website, in Spring, these cutthroat trout can be seen at leaping upstream at LeHardy Rapids. I’d guess a fish has to be pretty “hardy” to leap upstream and over rapids! Ha Ha
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring was the next stop on our day’s agenda. It was about an hour drive from LeHardy Rapids. Seeing the Grand Prismatic Spring was not on our guided tour. It is a very popular area with no parking for giant tour buses; however, our guide recommended it highly and gave us some tips for seeing the spring.
The spring can be viewed two ways. There is an upper view and a ground level view. Our tour guide had encouraged us to see both views, but particularly the upper view. Our guide had advised us that the hike to see the Grand Prismatic overlook begins at the Fairy Falls parking lot. He also told us the line to get into the parking lot would move quickly. He was right.
as seen on the hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Now, regarding the hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook, our tour guide had implied the hike up there wasn’t too bad. “If I can do it, anyone can”, he told us. I’m not quite so sure he was right about this.
When Dan and I stood at the information sign with the trail map and looked up at the path before us, Dan commented, “It’s gonna take us at least an hour to get up there and back.” We had gotten a late start, and the day was slipping away. I looked at him and said, “Well then, we better get going.”
I’d like to pick up my stubborn award now.
Now, even though I am quite deserving of it, nobody ever gave me an award for being stubborn. However, we were very well rewarded when we finally reached the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
Next, we headed to see the spring at ground level. Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. The boardwalk through the basin is one-half mile long. Walking clockwise, the first feature is Excelsior Geyser. Next is Grand Prismatic Spring. The Opal and Turquoise Pools complete the loop, with Opal Pool being first and smaller.
Photo Credit Dan Chambers
Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls would be our last stop of the day. While I’ve read this can be a crowded spot, there was hardly anyone around. The light wasn’t the best for taking a photo. Perhaps that had something to do with it. And it was later in the day.
But you know what? Not everything is about taking a photo. Sometimes, the moment is about now. We were there now. We could see it now. We could take a picture now.
For everything there is a season, A time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
New Living Translation
This was our moment to see Gibbon Falls, live and in person, with our very own eyes.
It might not be the perfect picture, but I’ll take it.
Chambers on the Road 
I love Gibson Falls.
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I like how it looks like it is black and white – a little different from most waterfalls. Enjoy your day!
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What an amazing day, Betty! I’d definitely want to do this walk some day, and kudos to you for your award. Without you earning that award, we wouldn’t have had the pleasure of joining you on this completely awesome walk. Great photos and dialogue! Thank you!
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Thank you, Terry. It was an awesome walk. It was a lot of up, up, up, but the view at the end was spectacular! I’m so glad you were here for the walk! Enjoy your day!
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What a super blog. Dan’s picture is awesome. Give him a camera and turn him loose. Thank you for taking me along on a delightful walk, one I hope to do some day. Hey, one thing is missing – no white water rafting?
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Thank you! Dan’s picture did turn out great. I am glad you were along for the walk. Nope, no white water rafting. We will leave that to you and Barb! 🙂 Have a great day!
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I think all of your pictures turned out great, and I appreciate you sharing them with us!
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Thank you, and you are welcome! Hope you have a great day!
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All the pictures are pretty–the colors, the contrasts, the lights and shadows. I had no idea there were so many geysers and pools of water at Yellowstone. On Gibbon Falls, the pine trees lying willy nilly on the rocks create an interesting design that is similar to the falls due to the lines and angles–looks pretty near perfect to me!
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Thank you, Suz! There is so much to see in Yellowstone. Now I can see why people return there again and again. I appreciate your comments about the pictures, but it is very easy to take amazing picture. All I do it point and click. 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
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I’ve been to Yellostone a few times, but only on one-day drive-thrus. You’ve given me some good ideas for a longer visit. Kudos to you both on your hike!
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Thank you! I know you hike on a lot of your trips. As you know, there are lots of opportunities for hikes in Yellowstone! I feel like the longer I could stay there, the better shape I would be in. 🙂 Have a great day!
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It sounds like you got your exercise in today. All that walking was well worth it. The views are beautiful.
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Thank you, Linda. You are exactly right. The views were magnificent! Enjoy your day!
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Betty, I have been completely enchanted, enamored, excited by the rendition of your current trip! Can you tell by all of the adjectives I’ve used? Your experiences are educational and so incredibly amazing.
Kudos on Dan’s photo of Grand Prismatic Spring. It gave me a lightbulb moment. So many of your photos in this blog and your blogs from the past year that I have been following are incredibly perfect photos. Lightbulb- You may want to look into selling some of your photos. And I now know from where your daughter got her photography skills. You both have an eye for it.
Have a great and safe day.
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Hi Maggie, Thank you so much for your very kind comment. You don’t know how much your support and enthusiasm means to me! All the photos are just taken with my android cell phone. All I do is click and sometimes adjust later for the lighting. It’s the scenery that makes the photos so beautiful! We were very lucky to be able to take this trip. And yes, Talia is very talented – in a number of ways! We got lucky there, too. I am also lucky to have this connection with you. Comments like the one you left encourage me to keep blogging. I hope you and all your family are doing well and staying safe! Love ya! P.S. You are very kind to think someone would buy my photos. I’m not so sure, so I think I’ll keep my day job. Which is fine since I am retired. 🙂
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Simply Awesome! Waterfalls, springs, rapids…sounds like a very memorable day! Great writing and cool photos!
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Thank you! It was a memorable day. How could it not be in Yellowstone! Hope you have a great day!
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I would give you an assertive award (better than stubborn) as the Grand Prismatic Spring was well worth the hike up. I have seen an overlook photo from that same spot before and could not believe the incredibly beautiful rainbow of colors. This will be a must see for me if I ever get to go.
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Thank you, David! You are right about the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is incredible. And I’ll take that assertive award, but, make no mistake, I am stubborn – which I like to think of as persistence. In any case, seeing the overlook of the spring was the highlight of the day. I do hope you get to go – perhaps a Sib Sab! Have a great week!
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Such beautiful scenery, especially the Grand Prismatic Spring. What a wonderful trip this has been for you guys — you managed to do it in great style it looks like. – Marty
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Thank you, Marty. Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone are epic. While I thought we might only go there once, we both want to return someday. God willing! Hope you have a great day!
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I think your pictures are very nice. And what a reward you got for the long walk. Good for you!
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Thank you, Charla. The view at the end was definitely worth the long walk up. And it was a pretty day! Enjoy your day!
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The cloud reflections in those photos are amazing!
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Thanks! We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Have a great day!
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Beautiful pictures! Grand Prismatic is a busy area. Though we walked the boardwalk to Grand Prismatic, hiking up to the overlook is still on my bucket list. You are having a great trip.
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I was trying to remember how long it took us to walk up to the overlook and back. It was at least an hour. Whatever it was, it was worth it! Yellowstone is amazing. There is so much to see and learn about. And it does compel people to return. It seems no matter how long a person was there, there’s more to see!
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What a great walk you both enjoyed! Cool, fresh air, with ample of sunlight can make anyone’s day bright. The Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook is splendid, and the Gibbon Falls is so alluring.
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Thank you very much.
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