5th August
27.2 miles
Yellowstone NP border (1763.1) to Grants Village (1790.3)
I wanted to start hiking early so I could make it to Grants Village in Yellowstone. I didn’t have any backcountry permits so needed to stop there to organise them. But the morning was cold, below zero. I struggled to get out of my warm sleeping bag.
Within a few short miles of hiking I had to cross a stream. No logs or rocks to hop across. I had to get wet. Made all the less appealing by the still freezing temperatures. Brrrr.
The trail was quite easy going. I was still hiking alone. Every once in a while I’d yell out and bang my trekking poles together to make noise. Hoping not to startle a bear. I did see some fresh Grizzly cub tracks, but no sighting. I stepped up the frequency of calls at this point.
It was after midday when I saw my first southbound hikers. A couple I met in New Mexico. They flipped up to Canada to walk south, the snow was too much for them, they told me. Two other southbound hikers appeared a little later.
I passed the large Heart Lake and several hot springs, cold springs and geysers. None of which were overly appealing. I think they get better in other sections of the park. I’m not sure if I pass them or not in coming days.
It was 6.30pm when I hit the tourist crowded highway to beg for a lift. Tourists rarely if ever pick up hitch hikers. A local passing through gave me a lift. I didn’t have to wait too long. I had a take away dinner and strolled to the $8.40 hiker/biker campsite. I’m tired, again.
Next – Day 111 When Grizzlies Attack
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