These trees sit in the runoff from Black Sand Pool near Old Faithful. The trees grew for many years before the runoff from the hot spring changed course and drowned the trees, killing them. These trees have been here for a long time and will continue to stand. Now they stand in silent testament to the ever-changing landscape of Yellowstone.
The bear decided to climb this dead tree, possibly to get a better view or out of curiosity. The bear climbed a little higher, looked around and then decended the tree, rear first, and wandered off into the sagebrush.
This is the rhyolite stone fireplace in the Old Faithful Inn. The Inn was built in 1903-1904 using a lot of local materials including the rhyolite for the fireplace and Lodgepole pines for the beams. The curved pieces of wood were specially chosen by architect Robert C. Reamer. The chairs in front of the fireplace are a great place to sit on a cool Rocky Mountain evening and enjoy your favorite drink.
