This is the ridge that circles the watershed of Crystal Creek, with the ridgeline running east towards Amethyst Mountain. Some snowbanks still hang on in the second week of June, and the meadows and peaks are covered in a carpet of wildflowers. Snowcovered Amethyst Mountain can be seen peeping over the grassy ridge on the skyline of this photo. When it comes to hiking crosscountry in Yellowstone, it doesn't get much better than this.

In the bottom photo, Paul pauses at the edge of the Ridge, with Lamar Valley far below.