Upper Falls

Welcome to the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, the dramatic threshold to one of the most spectacular geological features in North America: the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. As you stand near this viewpoint, preparing to…

To truly comprehend the magnitude of the Upper Falls, we must first trace the origin of the water hurling itself over the edge. The Yellowstone River is an extraordinary hydrological system. …

We now stand at the trailhead for the Brink of the Upper Falls, a short but steep path that will lead us directly to the very edge of the precipice. Before we begin our descent, take a moment to analyze the ecosystem at the rim. …

Pausing mid-way down the trail, we have an excellent vantage point to examine the exposed rock walls of the canyon, allowing us to delve into the complex chemistry that created this specific landscape. The Grand Canyon of the…

We have reached the viewing platform at the absolute brink of the Upper Falls. Here, the academic detachment of geology is completely obliterated by the sheer, terrifying kinetic energy of the Yellowstone River. …

Having experienced the terrifying intimacy of the brink, let us now retreat to the overlooks along the South Rim Trail to analyze the Upper Falls from a broader, more contextual perspective. From this vantage point, the waterfall…

As we walk further along the rim, our attention shifts briefly from natural geology to human engineering. Upstream from the Upper Falls, you will observe a concrete arch bridge spanning the Yellowstone River. …

As we conclude our scholarly examination of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, take a moment to absorb the totality of the landscape before you. We have traced the river from its serene origins in Yellowstone Lake, through…