The West Trip (Cont'd)

[RUSSELL5000]

A continuation so thread not so long.

Day 19

My wife said she developed a blister hiking the previous day, so a change of pace and change of shoes. The goal was geyser hunting. Observed Old Faithful to get things going and then went on a geyser hunt. It is somewhat difficult to be there as the time of the eruption. Day was clear, beautiful, and warm: high 80s. Water must really be hot to be steaming on a day like that.

A visit to the Old Faithful Inn was included. This is about my favorite structure. I understand that in the great fire of 1989 that this one building was to be protected to the utmost of capability. I am glad it did not burn.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 20

For no reason other than never been there, my wife and son decided to investigate north and west of West Yellowstone. They relayed they found an awesome lake, Lake Hegben, but no picture. I understand it was beautiful. They also found a lake called Quake Lake. In 1959 (the year of my birth - maybe the cause) there was an earthquake which caused a landslide, creating a dam and forming a lake. Unfortunately, 28 or 29 were killed in the landslide.

The afternoon was spent at the Yellowstone museum. Lots of cool stuff to see regarding the park.

My son put in some miles running - time to get back to it in preparation for cross country this fall. He said he was a little out of breath. He blamed the altitude, but I told him it was due to not running lately.

My son said the truck is filthy - and nowhere to wash it. Hopefully find car wash soon.

This is Quake Lake.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 21

The weather forecast was great - clear, warm but not hot. A perfect day to hike. Took a trail to Harlequin Lake.

My wife told me she was talking to a ranger for a minute and was told that Yellowstone visitation is running at an all time high. Lots of traffic; lots of traffic jams. The NPS website notes that less than two percent of park visitors leave a boardwalk or concrete sidewalk. My son told me that after hiking for around twenty minutes they lost sight of other people and did not see anyone else until they returned. I think my son enjoys having the roughly two million acres of Yellowstone to himself!

I am not sure when I would get tired of country like this, but it would be a while!

That is one dirty truck. Have to find a car wash.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 22

This a staging day - shopping, stocking up on food, fueling up, checking tires, etc. Moving to Fishing Bridge RV park inside Yellowstone itself tomorrow. Got chores done in the morning.Went for a bike ride in the afternoon. An early supper and then a drive through the Hayden Valley on an excursion to spot bears or wolves. No bears or wolves were sighted. My son told me they watched a whole herd of bison traverse the valley as well as a small group of elk. I guess he feels bison no longer warrant a picture.

Here is the Hayden Valley - part of the seemingly never-ending wondrous Yellowstone

Hayden Valley at sunset - what a way to spend a day.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 23

Moved to Fishing Bridge today. My wife said she was getting nervous about backing the trailer when they arrived. She said my son observed that she should relax - after all, if it went wrong, all they had to do was pull forward and try again - and they had the whole afternoon for as many attemps as it took. She relaxed, my son directed, took it real slow, and put the trailer right where it needed to be on the itty-bitty site at Fishing Bridge. Someone on here told me the only things to recommend Fishing Bridge are full hookups and central location - they were right from what my wife says.

Got moved and set up in less time then expected. Looked at Lake Yellowstone; not as big as Lake Erie, but doggone impressive nonetheless.

 

[GAmes]

That is one dirty truck. Have to find a car wash.

View attachment 92144

If you think that is dirty, don't go to Alaska.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I guess I have a love/hate relationship with dirt. I can't think of anything better than a day in the woods with my two dogs. But then I have the dirt all over the outside of the truck from the roads and all over the inside of the truck from the dogs and my boots. In the winter I get the added joy of the road salt all over the outside of the truck.

I must think it worthwhile - I keep going.


I see a pretty serious madcap in that picture -I assume gravel roads are the norm?
I think the dirt would be a fair trade for Alaska. One of these days I'll find out, God willing.

 

[GAmes]

I wouldn't say the norm, but there are plenty of them. This picture was taken just before getting back onto pavement after leaving a state park/campground/boat ramp. We are planning another trip there next summer. I sold my 13,000 pound triple slide 32 ft 5er and bought a single slide 27 ft 5er that is at least 3000 pounds lighter. The drive should be a lot easier.

 

[Tractorat]

Looks just like driving around dirt in the city, just after a rain storm. I dont think Id even wash it yet.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 24

A beautiful day to be outside. Nice hike through areas that had been burned. The small lodgepodge pine were of different heights. The "normal" spectacular Yellowstone country. The thing of most interest was a couple of bison that were walking down the trail. The whole of Yellowstone and these two are on the trail -and gave no indication they were going to move away. Discretion is sometimes the better part of valor - gave them a wide berth. In the evening went to Hayden Valley and watched a grizzly through the binoculars. Drew a huge crowd.

If anyone is thinking of going to Yellowstone, here is what Fishing Bridge campground looks like.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 25

Took a drive from Fishing Bridge up to Lamar Valley. Took a nice hike. Came across a black bear and her cub on the other side of the river - stopped and watched them for around a half hour. You cannot see the cub in this picture; look carefully for the black bear. Obviously, we are not accomplished at the photography. Beautiful day - also saw a bald eagle. Came across this petrified tree.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 26

This actually marks the halfway point of the trip. My son told me he wants to visit every National Park and hike every trail. I suppose that seems reasonable at 16 years old. Time and money are not infinite, so probably not soon.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was on the plan for today. There are paths up and down comprised of a large number of steps. My wife complained that my son would run up a series of steps and then run back down as she walked up. It is so nice to be reminded that you are getting older - as if you are not already aware.

If was an overcast, cool, wet day. After spending many hours on the trail over the days without sighting a Grizzly bear, they decided to return to the Hayden Valley and see if they could spot the one they saw earlier through the binoculars. Came to a ranger with his truck stopped in the road who was stopping traffic so this "average size, younger" female could cross. My wife and soon stayed in the truck - ranger was holding his canister of bear pepper spray at the ready. Plenty close enough for my taste. Picture taken through window of truck.

Now to see some wolves.

 

[Shadrach]

Question is "What are going to do to top this for NEXT summer?" Thanks for sharing. I'm enjoying the adventure. David

 

[MLee]

The petrified tree is evidence of a Redwood forest once grew there.

 

[nibroc]

many thanks for the pics and monolog---fishing bridge rv park used to be the only full service(elec water and sewer) campground in Yellowstone---don't know if things have changed---planning on riding my bike thru there in aug and donating to friends of Yellowstone again

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Shadrach, my son already has ideas on how to top this next year. Time for that talk about money and time not being an infinite resource...

MLee, the petrified tree was news to me. Lots to learn (obviously...)

nibroc, Fishing Bridge is the only one with full hookups commonly available. Full hookup is a wife requirement for any stay over a day or so. My wife and son actually set up a little spot to relax and the trees supply privacy despite being so close, so it really is not bad.

I join them Friday. The only shoes I packed are hiking boots.....

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 27

Today the walk was up Elephant Back Mountain. My son told me they were joined by another family on the trail with kids his age. My wife later told me that the "kids" we're both girls. Life is good. I think a trail is a good thing -be really tough to work your way up this grade cross-country.

That was kind of a shorter hike, so went along the shore of Lake Yellowstone in the afternoon. Something amazing everywhere you look.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Day 28

The day started out cold and rainy with hail. Hung around the trailer and got chores done until weather cleared a little. Walked around the geothermal features near Fishing Bridge. This is the Dragon's Mouth fumerole. Every so often a wind comes out, bubbling and splashing water all over. My wife said it is her favorite so far.

 

[crispyboy]

nibroc, Fishing Bridge is the only one with full hookups commonly available. Full hookup is a wife requirement for any stay over a day or so.

Russell5000,
Great pictures - really jealous of this trip, thanks for taking the time to post it up for us.

Your wife needs to learn that a trailer is "self contained". With three of us in our trailer we have enough fresh water and gray water capacity to make it about 3 days before things get full. This includes daily showers, dish washing etc.... This really opens up a lot of camping spots that many folks wouldn't go to otherwise. My next purchase will be a small tub that will fit in the sink for washing dishes. That way I can put the old suds water down the toilet to keep it out of the gray tank. It's better to have more liquids in the black tank anyway.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

crispyboy,

I understand what you are saying perfectly, and yes my wife does need to learn about how the trailer is self-contained and can be managed so that we are away from hookups. The trick is navigating the marital minefield of me trying to tell her something.......

Before we were married she said she would spend all day out in the woods with me whenever I wanted to go but at night there better be a real bed, a real toilet, and a real shower. Her definition of "real" requires quite a flow of water.

We've only been married for 25 years so there is still hope ....