Stage 34 - West Yellowstone MT, 87mi (140km)

Having blue sky again, today I started my cycling uphill for 40mi (65km) to my sixth crossing of the continental divide just before Grant Village. 

I have been spoilt by the beautiful landscape surrounding the Teton Mountain Range. 









I left Grand Teton National Park, passed through a kind of no-man's-land, and entered Yellowstone National Park. 












I was in stronger cycling condition today, but still rode carefully the uphill sections - two big early climbs to my seventh and eighth crossings of the continental divide. Both were higher than yesterday's and both were followed by a great downhill. There was a lake, Isa, right on the second summit, Craig Pass. It has the curious property of draining in two directions: one outlet flows to the Missouri, Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico, the other to the Snake, Columbia and Pacific Ocean. I passed the historic Old Faithful. Traffic to this point had been not heavy but very busy. 

I reached geyser country now, cycling through a flat steamy landscape. 

When I saw another collection of stopped cars up ahead I knew what to expect. It was a herd of bison, in the distance, lying down. One even passed me three meters on my right hand side - what an exciting moment as Bisons can behave unpredictably. 
















At Madison Junction I turned towards the western exit of the park, following the Madison River. Then in the space of a few mi, I left Wyoming, entered Montana, left Yellowstone National Park, and entered the town of West Yellowstone (pop. 1,500), where my eighth map section ends. 

Tonight I am staying at the Madison Hotel which has a long history in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. It was originally built in the Spring of 1912. Through the next forty years, the hotel was a hub of excitement at the West gate of the Park. By 1915, most travel through the Park shifted from train to bus, then automobile. The hotel is still offering rooms with clean sheets, comfortable beds and pleasant friendships. 



The lobby has been carefully preserved.