In The Shadow of Longs Peak
07 February 2009
Divide Trailhead
The 2nd full day of skiing at Yellowstone. We woke up and were on our way to breakfast even before the sun was fully up then back to the cabin, packing and getting ready for the coach drop off to the Divide Trailhead. The coach began loading at 8:45 and we are ready to leave at 9 AM and we are at the Divide Trailhead at about 9:30 AM.
This trip is the complete opposite of Fairy Falls. First, it is not in a burn area and second it is not flat.
Out of the coach, I remembered the Spring Creek Trail to be fairly near the road. But, starting at the Divide Trailhead, we drop slightly and then start climbing up – not too steep but steep enough after yesterday that I am feeling it and continue uphill for about 15 minutes before coming to the junction with the Spring Creek Trail. The forest is thick here but the trees themselves are fairly thin so I expect this is not an old growth forest.
The turn-off unto the Spring Creek Trail is well marked. According to the sign, we’ll go 4.2 miles to join the Lone Star Geyser Trail.
We start down-ward. This is a wonderful touring trail, up – down – in – out – over hill and dale – sometimes close to the creek, sometimes away from the creek which is in an ever-deepening canyon lined with steep slopes, rock formations and lodgepole pine. A couple of sections are very flat and there are others where we side-step up and then traverse back down the trail. Some of the traverses seem to be directly over the creek so here I pay special attention to my footling. Most often, we are wondering back and forth across the creek which is not completely frozen over though the snow has piled up over and around rocks and trees and branches forming lovely snow sculptures.
Today is bright and sunny, though cold: A perfect day for a ski outing with a bright blue sky overhead.
We make good time and we are crossing the bridge over the Firehole River at 11:30 or so. This river is running freely, not surprising, considering the number of thermal features feeding it. At the junction, left takes us to Lone Star Geyser, right back to Old Faithful and the cabin. We turn left toward Lone Star, a road groomed for skate skiing including 2 sets of classic skiing tracks. The road itself is a gentle up and down hills but we are finding ourselves kicking an gliding the whole way.
At one spot, there is a wide lake-like area, most likely a marsh, and beyond is the steam of a couple of thermal areas.
We look for a good log for a lunch spot but find none so sit on our packs for lunch. Then head back to the cabin.
06 February 2009
Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser
Today’s trip was to Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser.
Snow coach loading was at 8:45 AM and we were on our way at 9 AM with a quick stop at Biscuit Basin to drop folks off. The driver mentioned we would be coming back on the road and pick up the trail at Biscuit Basin which was different than what I remembered from the previous trip.
We got to our trailhead which was actually a river over the Firehole River at 9:30 AM. So, via snow coach, we traveled via snow coach 10 miles in 30 minutes plus the first drop-off. The snow was pretty sparse at the bridge so we walked across and geared up on the other side where there were a herd of buffalo of about a dozen. They tell me this: the rule of thumb is ‘don’t get in the middle of the herd’. By the time we got all our gear from the coach and geared up, the herd moved up and beyond.
Once ready, we head north down the road along the Firehole River then left along a knoll that skirts a basin with lots of steam holes. In the distance we see 2 geysers or perhaps 2 large stream holes. I took a couple of snapshots here: there are shades of brown just before the plumes that did come out in the shots.
We continued on and now turn left unto the Fairy Falls Trail. This trail traverses one of the burn areas of the 1998 fire. When I was here 7 years ago the trees were all shoulder height and now many are twice that.
This is a great kick ‘n’ glide trail. It’s a little windy but we do have some protection from the trees. Wax-wise, I have ironed on blue, tip-to-tails with blue-extra underfoot (this was with the my old double-cambered skis).
I stop momentarily and hear several coyotes in the distance. According to the coach driver, coyotes howl to tell their pals of a kill…then fight them for it.
We pass over 1 creek, still running. There are 2 snow bridges over it…I chose the one with a log bridge underneath as the foundation of the other seemed to be rather questionable, appearing to be built on air. Before long, Fairy Falls is on the left. The parts of the falls that are frozen do look like fairy wings. It’s pretty tall and our ski mates are diminutive in comparison. I cross another bridge then turn around to take pictures and both the falls and people are captured. Then ski back up for group pictures
Next stop is the Imperial Geyser. We travel thru the trees and stomp around a bit and Gary spies orange tags and we follow them and soon we are at Imperial Geyser. Buffalo sit on the hill beyond, The geyser emanates from just beyond a pool of turquoise and spews nearly constantly with a fume of nearly 40 feet – spectacular and worth the trip.
Time to start back – we have 10 miles to cover – pretty much. I won’t speak much of the return but it was a lovely tour back. Last time I remember a trail but its unclear as to where we pick it up so we wander down the road a bit. We must have looked like we were wandering aimlessly as a coach driver stopped and inquired and sent us back to the Mallory Creek Trailhead that we just passed. So back we go, north for about 100 yards and then we pick up the highline trail which is new since last time and does indeed follow a set of highline poles. We lucked out and did not have to break trail. This is a really nice touring trail, not much in the way of features or scenery but definitely a huge improvement over the trail close to the road (and snowmobiles) of last time. This trail ends at Biscuit Basin and we continue another 1.5 miles or so to Old Faithful and then on to our cabin. On the way, we stopped at Morning Glory Pool, past Spiteful Geyser and other pools and features along the Firehole River. We arrive at our cabin at 4:50. A hot shower never felt so nice.
I did not mention the weather: It was overcast but warm, probably in the mid 20’s and not at all windy. Late morning, it began to snow lightly and became heavier as the day went on but then lightened up and was pretty much done by the time we returned, It did not get windy at all..
Yellowstone
04 February 2009 - 09 February 2009
Gary and I went to Yellowstone National Park with the Colorado Mountain Club. I had been on this very same trip 7 years ago just after I first met Gary. Now, we returned together and it was another memorable trip, just like the first.
One difference is that last time we boarded a bus in West Denver at around 8 PM and rode all night, arriving in Jackson Wyoming at around 7 AM.
This time, the bus ride was a day trip. We met the bus at the Harmony Transfer Center in Fort Collins and left the truck at the city owned park ‘n’ ride there (according to the gal at the shuttle service, the state patrol, city of Fort Collins and the Fort Collins Transit Authority patrol the lot thus discouraging auto thefts and break-ins.
We boarded the bus at 9 AM and quickly settled in for the ride. Our first stop was at the park ‘n’ ride at the CO 14 exit, hardly 10 minutes into the trip but the other folks had already been riding for close to 2 hours. Then another stop Rawlins for a snack and rest stop, another in Rock Springs (for lunch) then on to Jackson Wyo and the Antler’s Lodge / Motel, arriving there about 6:30 PM. Supper was at a hole-in-the wall Mexican Place then to sleep. In the morning, we headed across the street to breakfast (at a steak house) then pile back on the bus. Our first stop was for a sleigh ride at the Elk Refuge which is run by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife. Not only do elk winter there but also a few coyote, bison and even a couple of wolves.
After the sleigh ride, we re-boarded the bus and headed north toward the Grand Tetons and Flagg Ranch where we would board the snow coaches for the Snow Lodge and the Old Faithful area. Along the way, we stop for a photo op of the Tetons across Jackson Lake (where it looks like a hardy soul was catching dinner). Then back on the bus until Flagg Ranch. It seems like the last time I was thru here Flagg Ranch was open in winter – now there is just the convenience store and gas pumps. The gas pumps are interesting as they are enclosed in their own individual sheds, attesting to the harshness of winter. Indeed there is snow everywhere and piled pretty high in this parking lot. Soon, the snow coaches arrive and we start boarding.
We leave Flagg Ranch around 1 PM. The driver is not in a big hurry so we take in more sights along the way - the first being at the entrance to Yellowstone Park itself, a couple of water falls and then Yellowstone Lake.
08 February 2009
Today we take a walking tour of the geysers in Biscuit Basin