Day 2
Posted on | October 3, 2010 | 5 Comments
September 14th, 2010 aka "April Day":
It all started with the internet. About a month or so before our trip I googled terms such as "highest peaks in yellowstone" and "epic hikes in yellowstone." Brad had loads of fly fishing planned yet I hadn't planned a simple day hike for muah - b nonchalantly said "plan this day completely, I won't complain!" So with our schedule wide open, I found a hike summiting a mountain in the less traveled eastern part of Yellowstone. So much for a simple day hike, b said.
Avalanche Peak (left)
We were the first to get up at camp, 6:15 am while it is still dark and verrrrry cold out. We left at 7 am with the intention of being on the trailhead by 9 am, however a gorgeous drive with fantastic wildlife held us back a bit.
We were the first to get up at camp, 6:15 am while it is still dark and verrrrry cold out. We left at 7 am with the intention of being on the trailhead by 9 am, however a gorgeous drive with fantastic wildlife held us back a bit.
Right next to our campsite
Sunrise during the drive
And then we saw it...
And B said "we're summiting that?!"
We got to the trailhead by 10 am & took the obligatory trailhead sign photo (in which b told me after the fact I was doing the "shocker" sign, not "rock & roll" sign - embarrassing). After that we started the ascent towards 10,566 ft, stopping to delayer & hit my inhaler more than once.
And then we went up...
... and up
& up some more.
Until we hit the tree line
in which we continued our ascent,
& awed at the views.
And finally, after many "hey bears!" & pseudo-summits we reached the very tippy top on the northern edge of the mountain! B brought celebratory beer that we were too tired to drink, but let me assure you I wasn't to tired to snap photos, even with the 30 mph wind.
Love
The hike down was steep & tiring, ergo the reason you will not see any photos. Once down we had lunch and proceeded to 'Fishing Bridge,' one of the only areas still open with showers available. And let me tell you, I relished that shower knowing it will be my only one until day 5.
About 20 miles from camp on the drive back I saw a sign for some waterfalls and convinced tired and sore b to turn and venture down this little road. About three miles back we simultaneously said, "what's that!" as I struggled to get out my telephoto lens. And at that point we realized we were looking at a wolf. A rare, never seen during the summer/fall, grey wolf. It was just the two of us, no tourons there with their super zoom scopes or RV's, gawking. Just us. And despite me not getting a good shot, it ended the day so perfectly.
And tomorrow we will call 'Brad Day.'
Comments
- April
- I am a RN & natural momma in the Pacific Northwest, married to a beautiful man I adore. Nature is my niche, animals get me. I read and I write, I hike and I love photography. Welcomed our daughter Hazel Annan earthside in February 2012 after three years of infertility & our second miracle daughter Juniper Louise in April 2014.
October 3, 2010 at 5:09 PM
I am in love with your pictures and can't wait to see more! (There's more, right??) My husband and I went to Alaska the summer after we were married, I had always wanted to go, but we didn't see half the wildlife you seemed to see at Yellowstone. What a great anniversary gift for the two of you!!
October 4, 2010 at 8:57 AM
That was just AWESOME!!!!
October 4, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Great pics. I visited YNP for the first time this summer. It is such an awesome place. I posted about one of our hikes on my blog (http://takingitoutside.blogspot.com)if you are interested.
Great blog.
October 4, 2010 at 2:06 PM
wowwowwowwow!!! what amazing animals you saw...seriously, just seeing the pictures is breathtaking! i can't imagine being on the other side of the lens :)
also, i'm still laughing (as i first read this yesterday) about your rock&roll sign mishap, hahaha, you crack me up!
also, holy crap. i am in awe of your mad hiking skills. honestly. i think you are so freakin awesome :)
xo, em
October 4, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Thanks for all the comments, everyone! It was indeed a wonderful anniversary gift!
Emily, I am still laughing 2 weeks later about my "shocker" mishap. Seriously, I'm the only person in the world that would do that. Haha.