Compared to the crowds that flood the area around Roosevelt Lodge and store, Lamar Valley is a pretty peaceful place. However, at the height of the season, you have to arrive early along the northeastern entrance road to get a parking spot at some of the prime wolf and bear watching locations. It's a pretty laid-back crowd that gathers early each morning and again late in the afternoon to scope the valley for wildlife. Over the years, many of the people return to the same spots again and again, getting to know the other watchers, and lifelong friendships are made.

The top photo shows a late evening view of the eastern part of Lamar Valley and the high peaks of the Absaroka Range on the eastern boundary of Yellowstone. It was taken from near the confluence of Soda Butte Creek and Lamar River.

The bottom photo shows one of the wagons that haul tourists down to Pierres Hole for 'Wild West' cookouts. The wisdom of having outdoor steak cookouts for multitudes of people in prime bear habitat is debatable, and if not for the popularity of the dinners that were first served years ago, it's doubtful that they would be permitted.