A WHOLE lot colder last night. Kept warm inside my sleeping bag, but was really not pumped about getting out of my cocoon this morning. Have really been wanting to go for a good hike, but after seeing so many large predators, going by myself seems like a pretty bad idea. Decide to ask my Alabama friend as I can't bring myself to leave the park before I get my hike on.
Luckily he was down for a hike, so we grabbed maps, the bear spray, and some water and headed to Lava Creek trail, a 4.3 mile hike to Undine Falls. Amazing hike, but I'm glad I wasn't alone. Had the feeling of being watched by tons of animals I couldn't see the whole time. The animals we did see: Pronghorn, mule deer, and a bison. (I kind of freaked out at the bison. It's scary enough when you see them from the car; on foot it gave me a mini heart attack. Those dudes can reach speeds of 30mph if they feel like charging you! The waterfall itself was pretty awesome, the trail took us to be right at the level of the falls. Long way down A little further above the waterfall, something weird in the water catches my eye. Upon closer inspection, have found possible the most gruesome natural sculpture ever. Poor elk.
Round trip hike: 8.6 miles, knees a bit cranky. After a quick lunch, I wish 'Bama luck with the summer and head towards Yellowstone's East entrance. Raining a bit, but I'm hoping it will clear before I get to the pass...but I was way wrong. It just got stormier. I did have to stop short for a coyote at one point. He stopped in the middle of the road and looked me in the eye for what seemed like a long time. Best part of the drive back: As I was near Yellowstone Lake, spotted 3, yes THREE grizzlies!! There was nobody else on the road, so I pulled over on the opposite side of the road and watched Mama Bear and her cubs play around. A bird kept flying overhead, and one of the cubs kept rising on it's hind legs and batting at it. Unfortunately, this is the point at which my camera felt appropriate to run out of batteries. Damn.
The pass was a scary drive. The road had been cleared, but very cold, icy-looking, and huge snowbanks on either side. I drove 20 mph the whole time and was sweating in fear of sliding off the cliff. Soooooooo glad to reach flatlands, and headed to Cody for a night in the Big Bear motel (complete with bears on the shower curtains. Also: the receptionist had an especially choice mullet.)
Sounds like an amazing adventure, I'm glad you were able to see so many animals in Yellowstone! You are much braver than I am - one sight of bears and I would have been too chicken to car camp!-Lauren
ReplyDeleteThree bears, no Goldilocks? Maybe they already got to her. Looks like a very cool trip!
ReplyDelete- Brendan
Wow dude, I didnt know you had a blog going! This is a pretty amazing trip! I cant believe the amount of wildlife you saw. How come you didnt get closer to the wolfpack? I would have shared their meal. Also, i do not know why it is that you did not bring a lighter with you camping. Lighters can start fires and open beers, both very important things when camping. I like Elk Butt, reminds me of llama (or was it horse?) butt in Hawaii. I feel like animals like farting on you. I can see their point.
ReplyDeleteThat Elk skull sculpture is absolutely epic. Reminds me of Yeats poem "An aged man is but a paltry thing, a tattered coat upon a stick, unless soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing, for every tatter in its mortal dress". Too bad you cant read, artist. I wont tell you who this is, but I will say that the dude you shared a campfire with sounds like a really intelligent and awesome and friendly guy.
-Anonymous the Great