Late August (specifically the 24th and 25th of the month) is a fun time to visit Yellowstone: that's when the park employees celebrate Christmas, and everyone is invited to join in the festivities.

While the hub of merriment is Old Faithful Inn, other spots get in on the action, too. Last year the Madison campground really went for the gusto with strands of multi-colored Christmas lights outside check-in and lots of homemade decorations both there and at the little general store (outside and within). Many campers came prepared, too, with their own holiday lights. One campsite even boasted a life-size inflatable Santa Claus. This August Madison was a little more subdued, but there were still decorations.

The park explains the origins of this quirky - and fun - custom:

"Legend says that it began in the early 1900s when visitors traveled Yellowstone's roadways via stagecoach. One summer, on August 25th, a group of visitors was stranded at Old Faithful Inn by an out-of-season snowstorm. They decided to turn their misfortune into a time of festive joy! They celebrated the first Christmas in August by decorating a tree, singing carols, and watching the snow fall."

[Note: there is no record of such a snowfall event. But it makes for a good story...and/or perhaps a more sanitized version of reality.]

"In truth, the tradition was started by employees sometime between the 1930s and 1950s to celebrate the end of the summer with each other before they headed home in the fall. As the celebration became larger (and rowdier) each year, the concessions managers grew increasingly concerned about the impact this was having on the guests and fellow workers. Unwilling to lose the tradition altogether, the shift to Christmas in August began."

Christmas comes 'round twice a year;
once at home and once up here.

Fa la la la la! Long may it continue.

I was working in Yellowstone over last weekend; those dates were chosen based on the fact that Santa Claus was comin' to town rather than the weather forecast. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice.

A variety of events were scheduled for both the 24th and 25th, including the Gardiner (Montana) Community Orchestra playing holiday tunes and of course a visit from St. Nick.

This week let's take a time out from the "big camera" and instead have a look at holiday cheer, YNP-style, via snapshots.

As you scroll down you'll see a picture of some boulders in the middle of the Firehole River. Tenaciously, little conifers cling to two of them. Each year someone ventures out into the river to do some decorating at this spot under cover of darkness.

I'd been in the Lower Geyser Basin the evening before at sunset. Driving back to my campground as dusk began to fall, I passed by the river. There was just enough waning light left to see...nothing. After all, it was still the 24th. Too soon.

Starting out at 0-dark-30 the following morning, I wondered if I'd encounter someone in the Firehole with a headlamp. What a kick it would be to catch the elf (or elves) in the act!

Coming around a bend in the road, I noticed very faint light in the river. Could it be? Sorry, but no; what I saw was actually a strand of Christmas lights! Santa's helpers had already been in and out....and brought lights? Bravo!

Since it was still nearly completely dark I couldn't make out any ornaments, but I had to pull over anyway to appreciate the handiwork.

Remember, this is for one day only. I was duly impressed that they went to the trouble of stringing lights along with the decorations that were hung. I wonder if anyone else noticed them ever-so-faintly glowing in the darkness that early morning?

After finishing my sunrise shoot, I drove back and saw that not one, but TWO trees were decorated. I have no idea how they made it up onto the taller boulder. Bonus point for extra effort.

(The gift under the tree in front is a six-pack of Rainier beer. Ho, ho, ho!)

 In Local News

The Fish Creek fire, burning now for over a week in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Togwotee Pass and not far from Grand Teton National Park, has grown to more than 11,400 acres. As of Tuesday afternoon, it was 26% contained. Earlier this week, cooler temperatures along with some rainfall helped to slow the fire's growth, but high winds and dry conditions have moved back into the area so the next few days could be challenging. Officials are expecting the fire to continue to burn until the snow flies.

486 people are fighting the fire and working on containment; resources on-site include five helicopters and 13 fire engines.

Exacerbating the situation is the fact that there are vast stands of dead trees in that area, attacked by pine beetles which have been devastating whitebark pines in the Tetons. Crews are scheduled to remove some of the large, dead trees along Highway 26 today as part of the fire suppression effort.

Area residents remain under pre-evacuation order.