Saturday, June 27, 2009

North of Fishing Bridge



In an effort to see as much of the park as possible, we headed north towards Mammoth Hot Springs.  The Dragon's Mouth Spring scared the snot out of our kids when they were little because of the roaring sounds coming out of the cave.  


We pulled over here for a pit stop and it's a good place to see where a fire burned the forest and then how it comes back.  Apparently lodgepole pine trees can remain standing for up to 25 years after they have been burned.  The park doesn't cut the timber down because it provides habitat and fertilizer for the forest and its animals.



Skipper needed a pit stop too.

5 comments:

Reader Wil said...

I am so glad that many bloggers are hikers and nature lovers. We can take many virtual walks this way.Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I love the fog in the rocks in the first shot. We see a lot of places in Oregon where the burned timber is still standing and new growth is coming on around it too.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Loran, Oh how I always feel sad when I hear about a big forest fire. BUT--that's just part of life --and the forest does come back. Amazing!!!!

Great pictures. I'm not sure I'd want to go near that cave either (Dragon Mouth Springs)... That would scare me also!!!!! ha

Hope you have had a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

Gaelyn said...

I really like the idea of a thermal cave. Looks like a healthy new forest growing in the old burn. Wonder how old the burn is. I see that here a lot, with Aspen growing quickly under the burnt Ponderosa Pines.

I'm truly enjoying your tour through Yellowstone. Haven't been there in about 30 years.

Unknown said...

how cool! A great place to explore a while!