Falls of the Gibbon
The Gibbon River tumbles 84 feet in a thin, white veil at Gibbon Falls. Wildlife is easily visible in the area. Golden mantled ground squirrels and bright eyed chipmunks scramble over the rocks, while overhead you are likely to see a great, black raven soaring on the updrafts of the canyon.
Norris Geyser Basin
To many people, the most exciting thermal area in Yellowstone National Park is Norris Geyser Basin. The geyser basin is Yellowstone's most compact thermal area, with literally hundreds of geysers, pools, hot springs and other features, many of which can be viewed on a walk of less than two miles. It is divided into two areas: Porcelain Basin to the north and Back Basin to the south. Porcelain Basin includes such geysers as Africa, which displays constantly; Dark Cavern Geyser, which erupts several times an hour and shoots 11-20 feet; and Constant, which also erupts several times an hour but at heights of 10-40 feet. One of the high points of Back Basin is Echinus Geyser, but the most interesting geyser is Steamboat. It is unpredictable, but it is the most powerful in the park and shoots water 300-350 feet into the sky. Steamboat erupted in 1969 and was thought to be dormant until March 1978, when it "went off" with great gusto. Since then it has erupted several more times.
The L.A.-area family we met on our sleigh ride had just flown in for a few days of frosty fun in Jackson. They'd heard Jackson Hole offers everything from big-time skiing and snowboarding to world-class wildlife viewing, shopping and culture, and they weren't disappointed.
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Laramie Peak, at 10,272 feet, the highest point in the Laramie Mountains, looms on the horizon and became an important landmark to westward emigrants on the Oregon Trail. A 5.5-mile trail up Laramie Peak is a steep climb, rewarded by a panoramic view at the top. read more
