Winds were out of the east today, so most of the smoke got blown deeper into the park and we were able to go for a nice hike to Hidden Lake. We were just planning on doing the 3 mile hike, but we learned that only went to the overlook, so we decided to double the distance. Luckily it was a nice, cool day so we had plenty of water. It was a beautiful hike and we got to see a Hoary Marmot and a mountain goat.
Today we drove north, from Yellowstone to Glacier. Overall, not the greatest arrival at our campground. We are staying at a beautiful spot just outside the northeast entrance to the park, but because of the fires we had almost no view on the drive here or when we arrived. Upon arriving we learned that they actually evacuated and closed the west side of the park. The add insult to injury we had a rather bumpy drive and when we opened the fridge the eggs spilled out and broke.
Last night at our campground there was a pot-luck cookout, where the campground owners smoked a large number of ribs and the folks in the campground each brought a dish to share. Many of the others in the campground spend the whole summer there. Most seem to be retired folks. We were the youngest and the only ones with kids, but it was nice to get out and socialize – and eat some ribs.
Today we ventured into the north entrance of Yellowstone so the kids could complete their Junior Ranging workbooks and to play in the Boiling River. The river is very cold, but right near this point there is a large hot spring that flows into the river. People have constructed little pools where the waters mingle to create a really nice experience. You can find the right spot that is a good temperature and current and hang out there. Sometimes you still get a hot or cold wave that passes you by.
About 10 minutes from our campground is the Chico Hot Springs Resort. We headed that way after work today for some hot-pool swimming. The water was pretty hot and everyone had a good time.
It was a short drive today from our campground in West Yellowstone to our new campground north of the park. We will be staying here for just three nights before moving on to glacier.
The kids had fun playing with RJ and Jacob at Yellowstone Grizzly. We hope to reconnect with them a little further along in the trip.
This evening we did the fairy falls hike. It was 7.2 miles, roundtrip, for us. That included a walk to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook and also a trip up the hill after we reached Imperial Geyser, at the end of our hike. It was a cool hike because we were all by ourselves for nearly all of it. We got to eat dinner at Imperial Geyser with no one else around, no fences, and no signs.
This evening we walked around the Upper Geyser Basin, home of Old Faithful. We got to see Old Faithful, twice, Daisy Geyser, and Castle Geyser. On the way home we stopped at Grand Prismatic Spring.
Today I worked a half-day and in the afternoon we traveled to our campground in West Yellowstone, and then into the park. There were a couple of major developments:
On our way from Moab to West Yellowstone we stayed overnight in Willard Bay State Park in northern Utah. It was nice and quiet and we had a short walk to the beach.
