Take a Hike

February 22, 2012

Take a Hike

(Film) Yellowstone River at the Yankee Jack fishing pullout.

Life here in Ennis has been cruising on by. I have taken advantage of my days off and explored as much as I possibly can. Well, I guess you can always do a little more! One day I took off at night having no idea where or what I was going to do. I packed my sweet new backpack I just bought, my camera gear, snacks for the trail, hiking gear and hit the road. I stopped off at Norris Hot Springs to get in a good soak, some kick ass locally made pizza and a glass of wine. Ahhh yes, all of that while soaking in the waters of the Gods! What more could you ask for. After a good soak and meeting some new people, people at Norris are some of the best that I have met so far, I hit the road in search of what to do for a day off. I thought, why not do a 'hot spring tour'?
I headed to Gardiner, MT where I would wake in the morning and hike a short trail along the river to the Boiling River. It's a hot spring in the river and there are different 'pools' you can go in. Some are freezing cold and some are hotter than hell! You enter into Yellowstone and drive a few miles. Well, I drove about 2 hours plus that night and got to Yankee Jack's, a fishing pullout, and slept in good ole Trixie next to the Yellowstone River. Not sure if you know this about me, but I'm big, 6 foot tall. Trixie, she's small. I made my bed in the back of her, comparable to sleeping in a trunk, and called it a night at midnight. Tell ya what, it was nice to sleep next to some rushing water. Very calming. Surprisingly I slept alright, right up until a little before 0800 and woke to about 2-3 inches of a snow blanket on Trixie. Had some weird dreams about a wolf and a bear... but yeah, all was great!

Can you figure this one out...

Crawled out of my car, went down to the river, took some photos and enjoyed the peaceful sounds of what was around me. I wish I just had a fire and a hot cup of cowboy coffee. Ahh... nope, instead I hopped in Trixie and headed to the boiling river. Well, bad news. You need to pay 25 bucks, money not like a buck buck... to get in, even to go to the river. I said, nah... I'll just go eat breakfast and go for a hike instead. Exactly what I did. Went to 2 Bit Saloon and had some breakfast and finished it with some whiskey. What? I had to warm up. Jen, the bartender was super sweet and great to talk to. Then off I went.
I hiked Bear Creek for a good 4 mile round trip. I soon realized that either I was out of shape or it was the elevation with a heavy pack. I am going with... it was the whiskey and lack of good sleep oh, and not having snowshoes. Working with dogs, even though it is just tours, you are in good shape. Dude... you should see my right bicep... Oddly friggin huge. Reminds me of a story for another time.
Great hike, then drove to Pray... sounds like a Christian rock band, where Chico Hot Springs is located, had a week anniversary of my idiot olympic dive incident, drank some more Pendleton, ate a sandwich and drove to Bozangeles, i.e. Bozeman. This time, I drove west, not east. Had a night of jitterbuggin' it, woke in the morning and hiked Bear Trap in Norris.

(Film) Headed in

That was a great hike. It's all along the Madison River which goes right into Ennis. The Madison River is one of the BEST fly fishing rivers in Montana, so I've heard. I hiked in about 3 hours then turned around. The trail itself is 10 miles. I had to work in the morning so, I didn't want to get stuck. I am prepared incase that were to happen, but nonetheless. Also I wanted to hit up Norris Hot Springs again on my way back. Honestly what a great way to end a day. A few beer while sitting in a hot spring after a couple days of hiking and hot springing it? I was game. One great thing about doing things by yourself, no one is rushing you. Just you. Oh yeah, when I was done with my hike I saw a truck from Maine and said out loud, "No friggin way, Maine?!?" What did I do... left a note with my email. We Mainers... gotta stick together. It's so weird when you see your state and get in contact with that person, it's like your damn family!

Once again... enjoy the photos and get the hell outside and do something!!! Until next time... Peace out brown trout!