Thursday, July 12, 2012

Osprey Falls On the Sheepeater Trail



Today I hiked with a co worker. We parked one car at the Mammoth Horse Corrals, and the other at Indian Creek Campground. Just parking the cars seemed like a long distance apart and we planned to skirt Bunsen Creek and take the meadow along the last part, ending at Sheepeaters Cliff picnic area, then road walk to Indian Creek. I really don't like road walks, especiall around 2 p.m when the traffic is autrocious. Oh well, thats what we did.

It's really hard finding a good hiking partner with like interests and style. We did begin our 11 mile hike by 8 a.m. Several people had warned us we were biting off too much.

My hiking partner was faster than I on all but the steep decent into the canyon that housed this  outstanding falls. We were the only ones there. After enjoying the cool spray awhile, we packed up, headed out, passing several people on the way down, most with serious cameras.

We headed north along a double wide old jeep road, bright sunlight baking our skin. The lake that we'd hoped to lunch at had several feet of marsh all along it. My hiking partner lay in the grass while I attempted to get wet. Not working.

We began the bushwack through the meadow, beautifully lush with sage brush. Except, that is hard going. Finding a nice tree near a 9 inch wide meandering stream, we took our break. My feet found that water immediately, ice cold in spite of everything.

Back on trail, we kept bush wacking knowing our trail head was near the road south of the spot we started from. Unfortunately we hit the road too early and ended up with about 3 miles of road walking, not the 1/4 mile planned.

It was a great day, I loved the falls. Next time maybe it will be cooler.




Saturday, July 7, 2012

Badgers Are Bold

I'm working in Yellowstone National Park, at Mammoth Hot Springs. One of my favorite things to do is hike, so its only natural I'd find this trail so spectacular, from the least little flower to the huge mountains surrounding this oasis.





The Beaver Pond Trail is about 5 miles long and climbes steeply no matter which end you start the loop from. Descending is no easy matter, either. I love my hiking poles. On the way, a person skirts several ponds with evidence of beavers living nearby.



Today I got on the trail right after work, in the rain, bear spray slung over my shoulder. I hiked up hill, calling hey bear, Griz have been sighted often in these parts, one even taking down an elk calf while people watched.

Today I saw a coyote running across the field, 6 big elk eating, sitting and watching hikers pass by so near the trail they could be touched. Of course I gave them wide berth, knowing they can kick a gal to death.


Rounding a bend, I saw a badger inside his hole, digging. He heard me, popped his head out. I snapped his picture. He came out of that hole, facing me down. I appologized, and hurried away.
Some other hikers passed me, going where I'd just come from. Within minutes, they confronted the badger, and turned tail, heading back the way they came.
You don't mess with badgers.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Camping At Riverside Targhee National Forest


Targhee National Forest

I split up my 8 hour drive back to Yellowstone from Nampa, planning to camp on Sunday night, enjoy some trail time, then head to Lake Yellowstone on Monday, hang with friends there, then check in on Tuesday.

I arrived at the campsite by 2 p.m. It was $13, a nice established fire pit, bathroom facilities and camp ground host. I set up my tent and called it good. I decided to go with the South Col, a 3 person, 4 season tent. Fanstanstic piece of gear. I love it for base or car camping.



There were many campers of all kinds in the A and B loops. Along the river a camper with several bikes attached showed there were kids there. I saw this rock, and three more on my hike. Now, I don't acusse anyone's kids of painting silly stuff on rocks. I blame parents for not teaching them to respect our national treasure. One rock had a pink smiley face and said, SMILE. I will smile when you quit painting rocks.


My first hike on arriving at camp was to walk along the river. I immediately knew why I quit my job in Nampa, refusing to buy a home in the Treasure Valley and headed back to Yellowstone. I raised my arms to the Powers that Be and thanked them all for allowing me this freedom and giving me back my health and strength.

On Monday I hiked 8 miles in Yellowstone itself, on the Continental Divide spur trail near Old Faithful, a secluded spot along Lake Yellowstone, and then around location.