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| Map-Car Travel |
Title: Sept 15, 2021 - Day Nine-West Thumb
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's
Type: Hiking : Car
Trail: Yellowstone Thumb
Destination: Loop
Distance: 0.85 miles 1
Elevation Rise: 86'
Descent: 86‘Maximum Elevation: 7,796'
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| Map-West Thumb boardwalk |
1Data is from a plot on Google Earth
Mileage: 68 Miles
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| Leaving Colter Bay |
Today we moved out of Cotler Bay Campground. We had discussed staying another night, but that would be hit or miss on getting a spot in Yellowstone at Lewis Lake Campground. So after breakfast, we will take off. Our hope is to go to Lewis Lake Campground in Yellowstone. But that is a first come first serve. Hopefully since this is mid-week, we will find a spot.
Andrea and Lawrence get ready first-they take our mattress pad, which is very comfortable, but a pain to blow up. So they leave before us. With the trailer, they will travel slower. This is not a bad thing. We take off a few minutes later. We do stop at the Grand Teton entrance sign for a photo-op. The total travel time is about 45 minutes.
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| Grand Teton sign |
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| Lewis Lake Campsite |
A little later, Sherri and I turned into the Lewis Lake Campground. We quickly find Lawrence and Andrea. Their campsite is pretty much suited only for themselves. But close by is an open one with a suitable place to put a tent. So we pay up with a nominal fee-we are seniors. The ranger on duty comments that there was someone in just a little while before us with the same last name. Imagine that
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| West Thumb boardwalk |
We still have all afternoon to do something. After having lunch, we pile into our car going to the West Thumb part of Yellowstone Lake. Lots more hot springs and geysers.. We take a loop which brings us down to the lake. The trail is crowded, somewhat because there are a lot of people. Also because the trail is on a boardwalk. The surface is crusty and one false step can break you through and literally and figuratively get you into hot water.
Several geysers are there. A couple of them are in the lake itself. Apparently in the very old days, people would stand on one of the mounds, cast their fishing line, catch a fish and then dip them into the geyser. The result? Cooked fish, fresh from the lake.
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| Shadows-Lawrence, Andrea, Sherri, Gary |
There is a brisk wind. I hold onto my hat. But somebody else does not and it flys off onto the ground below. It is just barely out of the reach of their stick-which they break. As we continue on, we notice a ranger with a very long pickup stick. We know where she is going and she also does not look happy.
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| Fisher Geyser |
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| Elk at Lake |
We continue on and end up back at the car. Since the afternoon still had light, we rode a bit further around Yellowstone Lake until we get to the village called Lake. There we see a couple elk-impressive beasts they are.. Then turn back to our camp. But as we pass Lewis Lake, Andrea spots something which looks like it is moving out on the Lake-a swimming moose, maybe?. We turn back and park and try to find what she spotted. All we could see is a log with water lapping against which looks like antlers but are roots. Even knowing what it is and stationary, this log looks like it is moving. Can’t blame Andrea.
By the time we get back, it is dark and we are ready to go to bed again. Seems like that is our regular rhythm.
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| Resting at Lewis Lake Campground |
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| Bluebell Pool |
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| Lakeside Geyser |
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| Big Cone |
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| Elk prints in the mud-Why can they walk on this and not sink? |
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| Abysses Pool |
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| Female Elk |
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