As you climb higher, the terrain gets wetter and the flora more diverse. In the upper photo, we're passing through a wooded glen where the trail nearly faded from view. This is bear country, so it pays to make plenty of noise, especially in the areas of heavy cover such as this.

Below: Though the Yellowstone region isn't noted for its fall colors, there is still plenty of color to enjoy during the autumn season. If you're used to the spectacular color of the southern Appalachians, Yellowstone's colors may seem to be fairly drab, but take time to look a little closer and enjoy the richness that is visible here and there along the trail. The aspen are beautiful when they turn color late autumn, especially in early morning following an overnight snowstorm. Aspen groves often originate from a single root system, so every tree in the system will all turn at the same time, and will display the same colors. Another grove nearby might turn color a week later and offer up a different pallet of color. The summer of 2005 had been wetter than summer had been for several years, and in many places, the grass was still rich and green, even in mid-September.