Nelson Vacation to West Yellowstone MT

Ever since our first trip to Yellowstone NP in 1994, we have said we wanted to see Yellowstone in the snow. Due to frequent flyer issues, we decided to fly into Salt Lake City then rent a car for the 328 mile, 6 hour drive to West Yellowstone. After landing in SLC, we rented a Pontiac Vibe and drove almost the entire distance on snowy roads and with snow falling. Day 1 we snowmobiled to Old Faithful. Day 2 we had snowmobiles on our own for forest service trails. Day 3 we took a snow coach to the grand canyon of the Yellowstone.

Opryland Hotel Magnolia Gardens Some of the many Christmas lights. See Opryland web		Three Bear Lodge Room 304 See TBL web site. Note our Pontiac Vibe rental car.
Kit & Carl Standing Next to Painted Buffalo There were many of these see more around town which were planned to be sold in Aug '09.		TBL Restaurant - Carl, Bear & Kit Two of the three bears are hidden behing Carl & Kit.
Artic Cats & Family Going to Old Faithful We stopped at a pullout on the way to Old Faithful. It was 33 miles and around 2.5 hrs.		Old Faithful Warming Hut Several of these wood stove heated structures were provided at Old Faithful.
Old Faithful Eruption Hard to see in the cold, cloudy & snowy day (27-Dec-08). NPS web pages.		Old Faithful Eruption Hard to see in the cold, cloudy & snowy day (27-Dec-08). NPS web pages.
Kepler Cascades Near Old Faithful Firehole River		Kit on Platform by Kepler Cascades Two miles from Old Faithful on the Firehole River.
Leather Pool in Fountain Paint Pots Area See Fountain Paint Pots tour		Leather Pool in Fountain Paint Pots Area See Fountain Paint Pots tour
Spasm Geyser in Fountain Paint Pots See Fountain Paint Pots tour		Perils of Deep Snow Kit took a little diversion off the trail.
Snowmobile Trail Junction #7 Madison Arm Loop trail near W. Yellowstone.		Madison Arm Loop Trail Junction # 7 Taking a map stop on the Madison Arm Loop trail.
Snow Coach Trip - Stop on Madison River		Elk by Madison River We stopped to see a small herd of elk.
Elk by Madison River We stopped to see a small herd of elk.		Gibbon Falls Off Grand Loop Road between Madison & Norris Jct.
Snow Coach by See Yellowstone Our driver, Wayne and Jennie standing by coach (See Yellowstone)		Stop to View Gibbon Falls
Canyon Visitor Center Only rest rooms open today. Small warming hut with vending was nearby.		Yellowstone River Upper Falls A closer view.
Upper Falls View Highway bridge in distance.		Lower Falls from Artist Point Photo by Wayne, our driver.
View of Lower Falls from Artist Point See NPS map		Yellowstone River Bridge Crosses the river on the way to Artist Point.
Otter Family A otter family playing in the frigid Yellowstone River.		Otter Family A otter family playing in the frigid Yellowstone River.
Otter Family A otter family playing in the frigid Yellowstone River. Making their way to more open water.		Emerald Spring in Norris Geyser Basin See more.
Evergreen Covered in Snow near Emerald Spring		Steamboat Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin Credited as world's highest erupting geyser. (Last major eruption in 1996.) See NPS info
Norris Geyser Basin View From near Steamboat Geyser. See NPS		Trail at Norris Geyser Area From parking area to Steamboat Geyser area.
Kit by Snowbank in West Yellowstone This is how West Yellowstone gets rid of excess snow.		Carl & Kit by W. Yellowstone Bear A greeting for West Yellowstone on the road coming from park.
View of Town of West Yellowstone Web pages		View of Town of West Yellowstone Web pages
View of Town of West Yellowstone Part of Union Pacific depot in left of picture.		US Hwy 20 in Idaho Highway covered in hard pack snow/ice but had good traction with grit on surface.