Mammoth Hot Springs and the Fossil Forest

Our final full day in Yellowstone began with an overcast dawn. We awoke to the smell of Ben cooking Chorizo sausage for our breakfast. He has been our alarm clock on most days and is responsible for getting us moving in a timely manner. After the Chorizo and eggs we loaded up and headed through the Roosevelt Arch into Yellowstone. Our first stop was at Mammoth Hot Springs. We started at the visitor center there and then walked around the extensive hot springs. The terraced mineral deposits with varied coloration were spectacular. We then ate lunch in the restaurant in the hotel at Mammoth Hot Springs. The service was somewhat slow, but the food was good. It was nice to sit in a comfortable dining room and be waited on for a change. We then proceeded southeast to Roosevelt/Tower Junction. On the way we saw a coyote walking along the road and a black bear sow with two cubs as well as numerous bison. We then arrived at our destination, an unmarked trail that led to the largest fossilized forest in Yellowstone. The trail led through a glacial boulder field between two herds of buffalo and up 1200 feet in 1.5 miles to the petrified forest. The hike was challenging, but the view and the fossilized trees were amazing. While at the summit of the climb we noticed a storm developing and were able to rush down the ridge to our vehicles just as the rain began. We then headed back to Gardiner. The group was able to squeeze in some shopping in the small downtown area of Gardiner as the kids got some ice cream. We then returned to the campground to grill some pork chops and sing to Rickman and Trey's guitar playing. We had a wonderful evening and reflected on the fact that we were at our furthest point from home and that we will begin to head closer to home in the morning. The plan is to break camp and head back through Yellowstone for a few more sights before heading to Cody, Wyoming tomorrow evening.