A Phenomenal One-of-a-Kind Experience in Yellowstone, the World’s Very First National Park, Through the Lens of Nurin Merchant

In Yellowstone, Everything is a Stone’s Throw Away

BY NURIN MERCHANT

Five years ago, in the summer of 2011, my dad took me to visit two of his most favourite places on earth, Salt Lake City in Utah, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. He had spent some time in 1979-80 doing a project in Salt Lake City, and visited Yellowstone some twenty years later during a road journey from Toronto to Vancouver.

Among the many highlights of our stay in Salt Lake City were visits to the Mormon Temple, the Great Salt Lake, Kennecott Copper Mine and the winter Olympic site at Park City. We had dedicated 5 days to seeing two breathtaking National Parks, the Grand Teton and Yellowstone, a few hours driving distance from Salt Lake.

Moose at scenic Grand Teton National Park, from where you can drive to Yellowstone National Park in about an hour.

When Yellowstone National Park was enacted by the US Congress in 1872, it became the world’s very first national park. It has since remained the showpiece of the US National Park Service. This vast 3500 square mile reserve, mostly in Wyoming, with parts of the park spreading into Montana and Idaho, sits atop a volcanic hot spot and features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers and lakes, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including the world renowned Old Faithful, where visitors gather in thousands everyday to watch predictable eruptions. The Park is also home to a wealth of wild animals including bison, bears, sheep, moose, and wolves. Yellowstone was visited by 4 million people in 2015.

“I Love Yellowstone”

I present here for readers of Simergphotos  a random selection of images from hundreds of photos that I took at Yellowstone. Its peaks, lakes, canyons, geysers, forests and wildlife make Yellowstone unique. Also, Yellowstone’s short driving distance to Grand Teton National Park provides visitors with a rare opportunity to cover two iconic sites in one memorable trip. If you and your family wish to enjoy Yellowstone, I would recommend a minimum 3-4 day stay there, and I would set aside another 2 days for Grand Teton! That way, at least, you won’t regret that you rushed your visit to these two stunning parks in North America!

The complete narrative of our remarkable trip can be read at:

1. Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday: Part III – The Yellowstone Caldera and Geysers of the Old Faithful Basin
2. Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday: Part II – Wild Life Safari at Grand Teton National Park
3. Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday – Part I: Salt Lake City

~~~~~~~~

Yellowstone – A Richly Diverse National Park

Nurin standing in front of the Arch at the North Entrance. The white stone plaques are inscribed with the words ‘Yellowstone National Park’ (left column); ‘For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People’ (centre, top); and ‘Created by Act of Congress, March 1, 1872’ (right column) .

~~~~~

~~~~~

Date posted: June 2, 2016.
Last updated: December 30, 2016.

Photos Copyright: Nurin Merchant/Simerg. NOTE: You may reproduce the photographs on this page  on any medium without further permission. Please credit Nurin Merchant/Simerg as well as http://www.simergphotos.com. For high res. pictures, please send your request to simerg@aol.com, subject Yellowstone Photos.

_____________

Please also see Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday: Part III – The Yellowstone Caldera and Geysers of the Old Faithful Basin co-authored by me and my dad.