My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Ace.....thanks.....

Broshaker.....sure thing.....



Eventually we turned off that gravel road and headed up into the mountains on a forest service road that maybe I shouldn't have taken my rig on....it was rough. But we made it to the end of the road and we set up our camp at the trailhead where we found peace and quiet.....solitude.....in the Gallatin National Forest.....



The following morning we were up really early as I was anxious to get onto the trail. I had my mandatory mugs of hot black coffee and a huge breakfast before hitting the trail.....it would be a long & arduous day. Initially it looked to be an ATV trail but that didn't last much more than a mile.....



After crossing a creek on a wooden bridge we turned off this trail and headed up a much steeper foot trail.....



.....that eventually led us to an expansive wide open area. Ahead of us was the mountain range that we'd have to cross to get to the prize.....



We began the ascent and here we saw the first signs of the mountain goats that I'd hoped to see.....



But the sighting of the mountain goats was not the real prize to be seen here.....the real prize here was Campfire Lake.....that's what we really wanted to see.....



When we finally crossed over that mountain range and first set eyes on that lake.....well, I was overwhelmed with the beauty that I saw before my eyes.....



Signs of mountain goats were everywhere on top of that mountain yet we didn't see a single goat. We descended the mountain and made our way to the shoreline of the lake.....



It was absolutely sensational and Tanner wasted no time jumping into that ice cold lake water.....

 

[ITTOG]

Welcome back Jerry and Tanner. We are glad you are here.

Yes, the lake and surroundings were a prize. I loved the pano, great job. Beautiful.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

ITTOG.....thanks.....


We spent a good portion of our day exploring the lake and the cliffs that surrounded it.....





We circumnavigated the entire lake just to see what we could see.....it was just me & Tanner.....miles and miles from all mankind.....





Often I heard rockfall coming from the rocky cliffs and I kept looking for the mountain goats but I never saw a single one that day. They were up there that's for sure.....maybe a set of field glasses was what I needed.....





We found several fire rings during our exploration of the lakes shoreline. What an incredible place this must be to spend a night or two.....or maybe more.....





It was late afternoon now and we had been hiking for hours.....we needed to head back.....so it was back over that mountain range.....



This was yet one more 20+ mile hiking day.....I can't help but wonder how many of these are left in me.....

 

[Foy]

It's great to see you and Tanner out and about again Jerry!

 

[Arjan]

"Since the volunteer position never materialized ...." Oh dear - hope there is not a very bad story there...

Love seeing you back though !



Hebe says "Hi" to you both !!

 

[flyboyaviator]

Ace.....thanks.....

Broshaker.....sure thing.....



Eventually we turned off that gravel road and headed up into the mountains on a forest service road that maybe I shouldn't have taken my rig on....it was rough. But we made it to the end of the road and we set up our camp at the trailhead where we found peace and quiet.....solitude.....in the Gallatin National Forest.....

View attachment 620428

The following morning we were up really early as I was anxious to get onto the trail. I had my mandatory mugs of hot black coffee and a huge breakfast before hitting the trail.....it would be a long & arduous day. Initially it looked to be an ATV trail but that didn't last much more than a mile.....

View attachment 620429

After crossing a creek on a wooden bridge we turned off this trail and headed up a much steeper foot trail.....

View attachment 620431

.....that eventually led us to an expansive wide open area. Ahead of us was the mountain range that we'd have to cross to get to the prize.....

View attachment 620430

We began the ascent and here we saw the first signs of the mountain goats that I'd hoped to see.....

View attachment 620432

But the sighting of the mountain goats was not the real prize to be seen here.....the real prize here was Campfire Lake.....that's what we really wanted to see.....

View attachment 620433

When we finally crossed over that mountain range and first set eyes on that lake.....well, I was overwhelmed with the beauty that I saw before my eyes.....

View attachment 620434

Signs of mountain goats were everywhere on top of that mountain yet we didn't see a single goat. We descended the mountain and made our way to the shoreline of the lake.....

View attachment 620435

It was absolutely sensational and Tanner wasted no time jumping into that ice cold lake water.....

View attachment 620436

View attachment 620437

Long time lurker on your beautiful pictures and comments, nice to see Tanner well rested. Good to have you back.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Foy.....we actually never stopped traveling. I'd guess we've traveled maybe 6,000 miles since I took a break from posting. Just took a step back. Thanks.....

Arjan.....thanks.....always love the dog pictures.....

flyboyaviator.....thanks for taking the time to post up.....it's always appreciated.....



It took me a few days to recuperate from that last hike and during that time I kept thinking about that ATV trail and couldn't help but wonder where it went.....



So up that ATV trail we hiked.....we crossed the wooden bridge once again but this time we hiked straight ahead.....



Eventually the ATV trail led us to this gate and someones private land but there was also a trail marker and a foot trail so we took it.....



Sometimes it's nice just to wander in the forest with no goal in mind.....actually I do it fairly often.....





As I continued hiking on the foot trail it became more & more difficult to locate, and often I was just following the meanders of the creek as we climbed higher & higher.....







We saw signs of elk often and black bear as well.....although unfortunately I saw neither.....



On a hike with no planned destination, I think its always difficult to know when to turn around.....you're constantly thinking "what could lay ahead ?".....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I no longer recall how many miles we hiked before we came upon this small remote mountain lake.....







We took a rest here and contemplated hiking further into the forest and higher up that mountain.....





We explored this area thoroughly.....I'm always intrigued by the tracks left by the forest animals.....and here there were many.....





I decided that we'd return to our camp at this point.....we had been hiking for quite a few hours.....



On the way down we passed two backpackers that were headed up to camp and they told us that there was an amazing lake further up that trail.....like I said.....you just never know sometimes.....

 

[Mekcanix]

oh this made my Monday, I check every morning to see if you have updated. I love your adventures and envy you and the life you have chosen. Excellent to have you back, Thank You Jerry and Tanner ( if you could see the grin on my face you would be laughing)

 

[Sierra Valley]

Glad to have you back and posting! Made my monday much better to follow up on your adventures.

 

[blanketslayer]

Like Mekcanix said above, this put a smile on my face during a quick lunch on a dreary Monday here in Wisconsin. So glad to see you and Tanner are doing well and still able to share your travels!

On a side note, my wife and daughters and I had the opportunity to make a run to Colorado a few weeks back and we enjoyed 2 full days of exploring the perfect mountain weather. When we had left, my 2 year old shepherd/husky mix was not happy about having to be left behind. He managed to escape from the sitter who wasn't paying attention and did not close a door. I am sure he went out trying to find me. We turned around after just getting into Iowa when we were informed and drove 2 hours in silence (with moments of swearing) while worried about him and thinking about him running down the road at night where we walk trying to find me. Thankfully he was found and was just fine. So, at 1am I let my girls decide if we wanted to turn back west and onto Colorado and thankfully they are like me and want to see the mountains. During our exploring I was able to break away for a bit and quickly hike up one of the peaks at Loveland Pass. I saw a family with their german shepherd as I was descending back to the parking area which only made me more adamant of not leaving mine behind again. My 3 kids and wife enjoy the outdoors which I'm grateful for, but they certainly are not as possessed as I am when out exploring. I thought of your and Tanner's adventures during my trip and look forward to hopefully doing similar myself and the freedom to see what's over the next ridge.

 

[ocdiver]

Great to have you back! I have really missed your posts. I travelled all through the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Utah this summer. Those mountains are beautiful. I really fell in love with the Black Hills and Spearfish Canyon.

 

[Ace Brown]

Like many here I do lots of adventurous things with my dog. Jerry you asked me to post a couple of photos of my recent 14er climb. I did while you were off line but I don’t think I posted this one. For all the dog lovers on here can you see why I think this one is special?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

mekcanix.....thanks for the enthusiastic response.....it's really nice to read.....

Sierra Valley.....thank you so much.....I'm nearly 2 months behind now.....much work to do.....

blanketslayer.....scary story there but fortunately it had a good ending. I know it must have been difficult to return home but homes are special too (I was reminded of this recently).....thanks for following along and taking the time to share.....

ocdiver.....the mountains here really are special and they've basically become my home. I too like hiking in the Black Hills although I'm usually a bit further west. Thanks for the welcome back.....

Ace.....because you're climbing a Colorado fourteener with Kendra who undoubtedly is your best friend ?



Now the plan was to begin the trek south.....a quick stop in Bozeman, Montana for supplies.....



.....and we then continued south on Highway 191, passing through the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park where I thought I just might sneak in a hike with my best friend.....Tanner.....



I was tempted to break the rules but after a few hundred feet I turned around.....I get it.....



We continued driving south and once again we had left Montana behind.....it was time to explore in Idaho.....



We set up our first camp along Elk Creek in the Targhee National Forest.....just above its confluence with Henrys Fork.....and just below the Island Park Reservoir.....





The water here was crystal clear and just barely warm enough for me to take a daily dip. Those daily hot showers on the east coast were still fresh on my mind.....





I just don't get it how it is that the cold water doesn't affect dogs.....not one bit.....it was difficult to keep that dog out of that creek.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

This turned out to be a wonderful spot to watch the fall season as the transition from fall to winter was well under way....



We hiked along the banks of Elk Creek and the clarity of the water here was astonishing as I could easily watch the schools of trout swim lazily by.....they were captivating to watch to say the least.....





And just a short hike downstream was the confluence with Henrys Fork.....





And then a short hike upstream was the dam and the Island Park Reservoir.....



One day while out hiking and exploring we came across this cow moose that was feeding on the massive amounts of algae that grew on the rivers bottom.....







And here in the forest we passed the days by.....always thankful for these special moments in our lives.....