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Wild and Remote

The first thing I noticed this morning was the stars.  I haven't seen stars in weeks.  A clear, cloudless, blue sky followed.  We continued on Sportsman Lake trail which was a steady climb up to the lake.  You can fish if you wish, catch and release only.  There was a patrol cabin there but we didn't stop.  Then more uphill.  Actually I'd say most of our day was spent going up.  There was a trail junction that gave us two possible routes to Shelf Lake.  One went through a river valley and one went by lakes and followed a ridge.

 

We've been hiking through river valleys since Dubois and wanted something different.  So we took the ridge route and were soo glad we did.  We've been talking about why we're still out here, hiking.  Two more hikers went home.  Both of us agreed we don't know why and couldn't tell you if you asked.  For myself, I just keep lacing up my shoes and taking that first step.  I'm always glad I did especially when I get days like yesterday and today.  The views today from the ridge were amazing.  

Our efforts and perseverance does get rewarded.  Shelf Lake is our last camp in Yellowstone.  We ranked the climb up the third hardest of the hike and we deserve a gold star.  Parkview mountain in Colorado gets first prize.  Happy and content.

Yellowstone IV

Gardiner, MT is right on the edge of the park and on the Yellowstone river.  As you leave town you drive (or walk) through Roosevelt arch and then there is the park entrance.  

After resupplying we walked to the entrance and then took the Old Gardiner road into Mammoth Hot Springs.  Today is the park's birthday and it was free to all.  I've never seen anything like these hot springs.  

The flow of water and springs created these terraces which look like marble and gold pyramids and moonscapes.  

After Mammoth we took the Sportsman Lake trail west and northwest.  It wound through some beautiful forested mini canyons and past a couple of meadows. We only had thirteen miles to our reserved campsite which gave us time to enjoy the park and not feel rushed.  It's getting dark sooner though.  I'm feeling sad cause I lost my warm hat and I really liked it.  It's probably at the hotel.  It's harder to keep track of stuff when there are four hikers crammed into one tiny room.  Still, a great day with no rain.