For the winter of 2016 we agreed on a return trip to Yellowstone for more cross country skiing. We flew into Bozeman and rented a car for the 1.5 hour drive to Mammoth Hot Springs. The Bozeman airport is one of my favorites. I only go there for vacation and you can usually see your rental car from the luggage carousel. No shuttle, no trains, just walk to your car, get in and go.
The Castor’s suggested we stay at the Snow Lodge for this trip. Thanks guys, great suggestion. We spent the first night at Mammoth Lake and once again skied to Tower Falls
Back to the overlook of Tower FallsDownhill all the way? I wishBighorn Sheep huddled together to stay warmBison do not need to cuddle to keep warmYou have to take a snow coach to get to the Snow Lodge, kinda makes sense. The roads are not plowed and they want to keep amateurs off them. Yellowstone in winter is not a very forgiving place. This one was really cool and we were hoping it was our ride. Nope it is used to haul provisions to the lodge.This is our ride, look at those tires! I wonder if they would fit on our van if we ever get it?Driver would stop periodically so people could get out and take pictures.Frozen waterfallI liked the image of the snow frozen on the trees and maybe the bluest ski I have ever seen. A ski that clear only means one thing, it is going to get damn cold.Red Fox with a very fluffy winter coatThis is the famous Yellowstone Lodge that is closed in the winter since it is not heated. To me, it looks like something that belongs in a horror movie. Shining part 3?Snow Lodge, rooms were better than at Mammoth but the food was not as good.We took an old time snow coach tour to see other parts of the park. At the divideHot springs in winterIt was even colder than it looksLeann chatting up the driver, he was very niceBack to the lodge for a hike around thermal features
It was right on time
Not sure who was more surprised the coyote or meWe took another snow coach that dropped us off so we could ski to a waterfall and then back to the lodgeFrozen falls number 3I will never backpack here in the winter, ever.Almost back to the lodge and the end of the trip. All that’s left, snow coach, car, plane, plane, car then home.
The remodel of the Mammoth Lodge is complete, maybe it’s time for a return trip?
