Pebble Creek

Today Colin and I hiked the Pebble Creek Trail, a 12 mile shuttle near the northeast entrance of the park. The trail began climbing immediately and continued to do so for the first two miles of the hike. Green grass and bright wildflowers grew among the trees through which we hiked. At the top of the climb, we had a fantastic view of the mountains surrounding us.

The beginning of the hike

Meadows along the way

Enjoying the nice view at the top of the climb

We continued on, through several meadows and small sections of forest. After about 4 miles, we came to the first of four river fords along the hike. At this point, we noticed a cold wind blowing and dark clouds behind us. We wondered whether we should turn around or keep going. We finally decided to keep going, because the sky in front of us was much brighter and we did not hear any thunder. 

One of four times we forded windy Pebble Creek

After fording the river, we entered a burned section of forest. The trail followed alongside the river until we came to the second river ford. After that, we continued through burned forest for a few more miles. After hiking about 6 miles, the terrain opened up, and we got amazing views of the dramatic mountains around us. 

Burned forest

About 6 miles in, we got some great mountain views

We continued on, fording the river again, and finally entered a huge meadow. We saw dark clouds behind us and heard thunder rumbling in the distance. We quickened our pace to get into the woods and out of the open meadow before the storm reached us. When we got to the woods, we climbed up a ridge and then down the other side to the parking lot, about two miles total. We got rained on a little, but for the most part, we were lucky to avoid the storm. 

The storm closing in on us

The "M" (Mount Sentinel)

Last night, Colin and I headed to Missoula so that Colin could take the first part of the bar exam (about ethics) there. After he was finished with the test, we decided to hike to the big letter M in the hills above the campus of the University of Montana. The weather was cool and threatening rain, but we decided to give it a try anyway.

The hike began directly below the M and switchbacked up quickly and steeply. After about 15 minutes of hiking, we found ourselves at the big M. I had thought it was made of painted rocks, but when we got there, I discovered that it was a large concrete slab. 

Missoula below as we climb to the M

Colin and me at the M

We continued on to summit Mount Sentinel. A few minutes into this part of the hike, we heard thunder above us on the mountain, so we turned around to be safe. As we got to the trailhead, it began raining very hard, so we knew we made the right decision. 

Afterwards, we headed to lunch and then to the Big Sky Brewery. After tasting a few beers, we started the long, four hour drive back down to Gardiner. 

Mammoth Terraces

Tonight Colin and I walked the boardwalks of the Mammoth Terraces, a very beautiful and unique thermal feature just down the street from the dorm. We went in the evening as the sun was setting and the light made the terraces look amazingly beautiful. I hadn't done the terrace walk since my dad and I did it in May, and it was much prettier than I remembered.

The beginning of the boardwalk through the terraces

Mammoth in the distance

Lava Creek Canyon

Today, Colin and I hiked the Lava Creek Canyon trail, a 4.5 mile shuttle hike in the Mammoth area. The trail started out fairly flat in a field of wildflowers. Less than a quarter mile from the trailhead, we had views of Undine Falls in the gorge along the trail.

The beginning of the hike

Undine Falls

A scenic view just past Undine Falls

As we continued on, the trail began to gradually descend into Lava Creek Canyon. As we descended, we got wonderful views of the Gardiner River Bridge on Dunraven Pass. At the bottom of the canyon, we enjoyed the beautiful ridge line to our right. 

Colin on the trail as it began to descend into the canyon

Gardiner River Bridge

Hills along the side of the trail

Bunsen Peak behind us

Ridge line along the trail

Towards the end of the hike, we saw an enormous bird sitting by the river. I am not sure what kind of bird it was, but my best guess is an eagle or a raptor. 

About a mile later, the trail brought us to a really neat metal suspension bridge across the Gardiner River. After crossing it, we noticed the sky darkening all around us. Luckily, the end of the hike was near, and we made it to the car before the heavy rain began to fall. 

Suspension bridge

View from the bridge

The end of the hike is near

Darkening sky at the end of the hike

Colin Arrived Just in Time for the Gardiner Beer Festival

This afternoon, I went with some friends to the beer festival down in Gardiner at Arch Park. The festival was very small, but I got to try some really good beers. I was really excited the whole time because I knew Colin was on his way from Denver. Colin finished work yesterday and will be here in Yellowstone with me until I leave in a few weeks. The weather was beautiful and the festival was not crowded at all, so it was just wonderful.

Me and Colin

Allison, Jake, Me, and Sam

Jake, Sam, Colin, and Allison

The beer festival

Colin got there a couple hours after the festival started. I was so excited to see him! We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking good IPAs and catching up. It was such a great day!