Yellowstone National Park
After a great night sleep (ignoring the puddles from a long, rainy night), Carl and I treated ourselves to solid breakfast at Ernie's Bakery in West Yellowstone. We had a long day ahead of us and needed plenty of energy. We enjoyed egg & cheese on bagels and and bought turkey sandwiches for the road. We planned to do a full-day hike and would need to stop for lunch along the way. With a few trails in mind, we left for the nearest ranger station to ask for suggestions.
While most rangers were surprisingly uninformed, the ranger working Madison Junction had hiked every single trail in our guidebook Day Hiking Yellowstone. She liked the two trails we had picked out but suggested a third: Avalanche Peak. When we entered the park our first day, the plan was to hike Avalanche Peak but we weren't prepared (emotionally, physiologically, etc). Carl & I were thrilled by her suggestion and decided to give it a shot. Armed with Counter Assault Bear Deterrent, we headed off to the Avalanche Peak trailhead.
Save the best for last, and we clearly did. The trail was scenic, less frequented, and at last, strenuous. In the two miles it took to reach the summit, Carl & I climbed 2,100 ft, caught amazing glimpses of wildlife, and played in the snow. There were few hikers on the trail so it felt as if we finally met the untamed Yellowstone. After taking our last few steps to the summit, we were met with roaring 40 mph winds and incredible views of the surrounding landscape. There was a small alcove where Carl & I could enjoy our lunches shielded from the wind.
After finishing our lunches, we decided to spend some time exploring the summit. A trail stretched along the ridge, interrupted every few hundred yards by small peaks. We left to climb the highest. As we worked our way along the narrow trail, the winds were terrifying. I held my hat tightly to my head as Carl & I worked our way slowly forward. Every step I thought where I could drop to the ground if the wind became too unmanageable. Eventually, we reached our destination and posed quickly to capture the incredible landscape.
Satisfied, Carl & I began the descent from Avalanche Peak. We cheered on the few hikers we passed along the way and reached the parking in an hour. What was supposed to be a four hour hike, Carl & I finished in just over two. We decided to take the scenic route home. Instead of driving through the center of Yellowstone, we took the southern route through West Thumb. There we stopped to admire geysers and hot springs along the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Some geysers could even be spotted several yards off shore. As you might suspect, the West Thumb shore of Yellowstone Lake doesn't freeze during the winter.
After leaving the park, it started the rain so we had an uneventful night of playing cards and fast food. Quite an adventure today, and a great way to cap off our visit to Yellowstone National Park. Tomorrow we leave for Grand Teton.
After a great night sleep (ignoring the puddles from a long, rainy night), Carl and I treated ourselves to solid breakfast at Ernie's Bakery in West Yellowstone. We had a long day ahead of us and needed plenty of energy. We enjoyed egg & cheese on bagels and and bought turkey sandwiches for the road. We planned to do a full-day hike and would need to stop for lunch along the way. With a few trails in mind, we left for the nearest ranger station to ask for suggestions.
While most rangers were surprisingly uninformed, the ranger working Madison Junction had hiked every single trail in our guidebook Day Hiking Yellowstone. She liked the two trails we had picked out but suggested a third: Avalanche Peak. When we entered the park our first day, the plan was to hike Avalanche Peak but we weren't prepared (emotionally, physiologically, etc). Carl & I were thrilled by her suggestion and decided to give it a shot. Armed with Counter Assault Bear Deterrent, we headed off to the Avalanche Peak trailhead.
Save the best for last, and we clearly did. The trail was scenic, less frequented, and at last, strenuous. In the two miles it took to reach the summit, Carl & I climbed 2,100 ft, caught amazing glimpses of wildlife, and played in the snow. There were few hikers on the trail so it felt as if we finally met the untamed Yellowstone. After taking our last few steps to the summit, we were met with roaring 40 mph winds and incredible views of the surrounding landscape. There was a small alcove where Carl & I could enjoy our lunches shielded from the wind.
Carl setting the table for lunch
After finishing our lunches, we decided to spend some time exploring the summit. A trail stretched along the ridge, interrupted every few hundred yards by small peaks. We left to climb the highest. As we worked our way along the narrow trail, the winds were terrifying. I held my hat tightly to my head as Carl & I worked our way slowly forward. Every step I thought where I could drop to the ground if the wind became too unmanageable. Eventually, we reached our destination and posed quickly to capture the incredible landscape.
Drew holds on dearly to his hat
Carl about to take flight
Satisfied, Carl & I began the descent from Avalanche Peak. We cheered on the few hikers we passed along the way and reached the parking in an hour. What was supposed to be a four hour hike, Carl & I finished in just over two. We decided to take the scenic route home. Instead of driving through the center of Yellowstone, we took the southern route through West Thumb. There we stopped to admire geysers and hot springs along the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Some geysers could even be spotted several yards off shore. As you might suspect, the West Thumb shore of Yellowstone Lake doesn't freeze during the winter.
After leaving the park, it started the rain so we had an uneventful night of playing cards and fast food. Quite an adventure today, and a great way to cap off our visit to Yellowstone National Park. Tomorrow we leave for Grand Teton.
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