Friday, July 28, 2017

The Other Grand Canyon


Usually when we hear the words "Grand Canyon" we think of this beauty:


It is totally deserved that we think of the Grand Canyon because this amazing place is inspiring and unique, breath taking and so big it's hard to grasp.


However, there's another Grand Canyon that usually doesn't come to mind. It's much smaller, way further north - and in one of the most wonderful places on this planet.

Do you know which place I'm talking about?


Perhaps if I look at this canyon from the other direction you might get the idea.


It is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, where the Yellowstone River crashes down at what is called the Lower Yellowstone Falls, and it does it with high speed and tremendous noise.

It is simply amazing.


We just came back from our fourth visit to Yellowstone National Park. I fell in love with this amazing national park when we visited it in 2002 for the very first time. My love for this incredibly beautiful and wild place only deepened with every visit. This is a place that has healing powers for me and never fails to inspire me and feed my soul.

However, this was the first time that we explored the Grand Canyon and the Yellowstone Falls (there is the Upper and Lower Falls, the Lower Falls being the more famous ones). I'm not quite sure why we always ignored this part of Yellowstone before and only passed by without taking the time to hike to the brink of the falls and along the North Rim.



The sheer strength and force of the water leaves one almost speechless - no one would hear you anyway since it crashes down so loudly. It drops down more than 300 feet, nearly twice as high as Niagara Falls (but still a baby compared to Upper Yosemite Fall with 1,430 feet).


It winds its way through the canyon, and while the canyon walls aren't as colorful as the ones of its bigger brother, it still offers different shades of warm yellow, rust and red.


You can hike down to the brink of the Lower Falls (as well as to the Upper Falls which is not quite as exciting), but unfortunately you eventually have to hike it up again... not so easy for me due to the altitude of Yellowstone. In the following photo you can see the people standing right above the fall.


If you look hard at the photo below you can see wooden stairs leading down the hill and ending in a wooden platform. I simply refused to go down there.


However, nothing could hold back Kaefer ...





10 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

How absolutely beautiful. My wimpy self would be with you - but I love that nothing held back Kaefer.

Michelle said...

This is beautiful! I have been to the regular Grand Canyon, but not this one. I need to schedule a visit!

Jeanie said...

I have never been to Yellowstone but these views are a great incentive (though I suspect my vertigo would kick in big time!). Your photos are just fabulous and what a miracle of nature. Yes, I can see why this Grand Canyon would speak to you -- it certainly does to me. (The water is powerful, too. Love that water!).

As you know from my post last week, it hurts me to the core when something beautiful is destroyed. I am so grateful that these lands are preserved so this beauty can't be damaged.

krishna said...

Wow!!!! It is majestic!!

My name is Erika. said...

They are both amazing canyons for sure. I actually think I might prefer the one in yellowstone. There seems to be a great photo light there. And you can actually see the water. :) Erika

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Yellowstone. That first shot over the top of the falls took my breath away!

Sarah Huizenga said...

We have only been there once, so we have seen very little but someday we will go back.

Red Rose Alley said...

I've always wanted to visit Yellow Stone Park, Carola. These are gorgeous pictures. So glad you got to visit again, and a fourth time! The waterfall picture with the purple flowers is beautiful. Your pictures are so clear, it's as if I'm there myself.

~Sheri

Willkommen auf meiner Kreativseite. said...

Was für eine grandiose Landschaft! Herrliche Fotos sind das.

LG
Renate

Magic Love Crow said...

Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!! I wouldn't mind walking down, but I don't know if I could make it back up! LOL!