Anxious to get out and explore Yellowstone we stopped at the Grant Village Visitor Center for some information. We wanted to do some light hiking and the Ranger gave us several options.
One was a short 2 mile round trip loop and the other was a 4 mile loop. 2 miles sounded to short for us, and the 4 mile loop only had a gain of 800 ft. Piece of cake we thought.
We were greeted with towering lodge pole pines and the most wonderful smell!
As soon as we entered the forest there it was. The warmth of the sunshine, acting like a warmer under a pot of potpourri, brought out the sweetest pine scent I have ever smelled.
The trail is very well maintained, but steep in places. Only an 800 ft gain the trail guide said. Really? The guide failed to mention that it would be all in one spot!!
Hmmm. Perhaps it is the elevation (7800 ft) and lack of air, that is making our hearts feel like they are going to pound out of our chests and not that we are VERY out of shape. Yeah that has got to be it.
I told John that if he did collapse on the trail he could look at the pretty birdies without straining his neck. High above us on the trail a Clark’s nutcracker was enjoying his meal.
There was a lot of bear sign along the trail but we didn’t see any. Not sure if I’m disappointed or not. We were too out of breath to have run away anyhow.
The view from the vista at the top was worth the heart pounding hike. It is a panoramic view of Yellowstone lake.
Our hike off the mountain offered us periodic views of the lake, combined with the sweet pine smell, I hardly noticed the soreness in my muscles.
It felt good to get out hiking again.
