Maybe it is Lone Star that best illustrates the Great Paradox. This relatively uninhabited slice of Yellowstone offers all of the Park's signature essentials within an easy walk from the trailhead parking lot. But that paved, gently graded 2.5 miles is just far enough to put Lone Star--and figuratively most of Yellowstone--beyond the reach of the motorized multitude content to experience Nature's artwork from the right hand lane of the Grand Loop Road.

An Ideal Day(s) in the "Wilderness Wonderland"
Sampling the two sides of Yellowstone's Great Paradox takes at least two days. Be aware that going off the road demands special attention to the park's rules about proper backcountry behavior.

Day 1, Sunrise: Enter Yellowstone's Northeast Gate from Cooke City, MT. Carry a bag breakfast to eat while wildlife spotting from the road along Soda Butte Creek and in the Lamar Valley.
10 am: Strike out across the Lamar Valley for a dayhike to Specimen Ridge. Carry appropriate gear, plenty of water, and a bag lunch.
Noon: Conditions permitting, carefully ford the Lamar River and begin ascending the ridge.
3 pm: Return to the road and head for the bright lights and hamburgers at Mammoth Hot Springs.

7 pm Spend the night in one of the rustic cabins behind the main Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. The bar in the Hotel's restaurant is the spot to overhear tales of wildlife spotting and extraordinary fishing stories. Or, take a midnight stroll on the Beaver Ponds Trail up onto the prairie plateau above the cabins.

Day 2, 7am: Wake up at the restaurant's breakfast buffet.
10am: Say goodbye to the elk and, on the way out of Mammoth south toward Old Faithful, visit the Hot Springs.
Noon: Arrive at Old Faithful and join the throng.
1 pm: Drive to the Lone Star Trailhead, just south of Old Faithful. Hike the macadam path to the geyser's basin.
7 pm: Dinner and the nights lodging at the remarkable Old Faithful Inn. Walk up to Observation Point after dark and maybe hear the nocturnal chorale of Yellowstone's wolves or coyotes.

 

 

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