I had a weekend to hike, and thought this might be an interesting area.
Step one, spray my hiking shirt with mosquito and tick spray (two different sprays).
![84241 84241](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84258-0880f4b4abebb97699136fd9c6a70e58.jpg)
The trailhead is called Glacial Boulder, because there's a large glacial boulder about 30 yards away.
Once you enter the woods, the are a few ravines to walk through and around, but then you get your first view. It showed promise.
![84243 84243](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84260-b906309d0aac3e2278cafdff31eecf94.jpg)
Supposedly, you could see Silver Cord Falls on the far wall. I looked, but not too closely. I sort of expected a sign. There was none, and the next thing I knew, I was on this roadbed trail and away from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A ways down the trail, the was a sign, in the middle of no where, saying the waterfall view was a half mile back. Sheesh. I'd look on my way back.
![84244 84244](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84261-eb340dc4383f57578fc2b21179300d34.jpg)
![20190831_132600.jpg 20190831_132600.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84264-a8256e119736bc4e3ed5434e3fabbaab.jpg)
Shortly after turning off the trail to Seven Mile Hole, I saw this meadow. Through the trees, the were wonderful views.
![84245 84245](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84262-78ef913ba23c5611a75c59045d1df2e7.jpg)
![84246 84246](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84263-74223e2637808c1b8eab1736796daf05.jpg)
![84248 84248](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84265-8d11ff9adfb54d5dc6b9263561a61f9d.jpg)
The Washburn Meadows Trail goes by some thermal features. Unlike most thermal areas in Yellowstone, the was absolutely no one else around.
![84249 84249](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84266-a9c19bde5a379a1b69d9c70f6d6c3c5b.jpg)
![84250 84250](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84267-5a5564697a111c4c5167a22c453d49c4.jpg)
![84251 84251](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84268-b32f0caeda574dd79456060012c9e726.jpg)
![84252 84252](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84269-aebea20e34237494ad4cdaf175c0c6df.jpg)
There was one named thermal feature, Inkpot Hot Spring. The water coming out looked like India Ink. It was like water, but black. It looked really odd, as I crossed the little outflow steam.
![84253 84253](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84270-e2253a3c27c8767998659e373ee6ee93.jpg)
It bubbled actively.
![84254 84254](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84271-68f3cd88a5d34699f374a244ee76fbd7.jpg)
It was a fairly small thermal area, but had active thermals. The show was worth the 4.5 mile hike. Now, another mile to the campsite.
![84255 84255](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84272-b2b35c64b54fb1ce8b271b34d785181d.jpg)
Much, but not all, of the remaining walk to the site was in large meadows. I was thinking it would be awesome to have a view like this from camp.
![84256 84256](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84273-802432f19f66d73781bb680da8b6cace.jpg)
![84257 84257](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84274-9150c78df36e70f700bbb38fdfba8c21.jpg)
Of course, with thoughts like that, you know the trail will go back into the woods. And, it did. I did run into two young men, once I got into the woods, who had started st the same trailhead as I had, and day hiked to the top of Mt. Washburn and were now headed back. They were quite enthusiastic, and I was glad to have run into them.
![84258 84258](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84275-1cf694d99379ea077523e234bab23b42.jpg)
The site itself was not great. It wasn't awful, but the views were limited. I went back to the trail to get water after following the signs to, well, no water. There was a fire pit and kitchen area that was dark, in the trees. It's in the trees just beyond the food pole.
![84259 84259](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84276-e31dfc2a807f283f6e51d34492141de6.jpg)
Directly under the food pole was evidence of a former visitor. Mink?
![84260 84260](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84277-cd387dce71433f212de03e5035b6090c.jpg)
I went to bed that night, wishing I had a view to the north. The Aurora Borealis was to be out. I didn't see it, but I did have a fantastic view of stars.
The next morning, about a quarter of a mile from camp, right on the trail, I found where yet another resident had left his mark. I assume this was grizzly scat, but it could be black bear. It hadn't been there the day before, or at least I hadn't noticed it.
![84261 84261](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84278-2362e83a79d7812a6f2adf2f1e731d92.jpg)
I watched sandhill cranes, in the distance.
![84262 84262](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84279-a6a9e3c3406080ce4756a2c842e690e8.jpg)
![84264 84264](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84281-db568c3dcd9713f1ef836fb4b62dd518.jpg)
![84265 84265](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84282-2e46d2f43f257d7a146fe074799e282e.jpg)
![84266 84266](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84283-104beddec3d898acc77dba03a27f856b.jpg)
Coming back to the thermal area, I got a better angle on the bison skull by the thermal pool. The were no other bones around it, and the display angle was perfect, so I assume someone put it there, but that would be a stupid place to walk.
![84267 84267](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84284-8a0dbffa23185ff3380c56619204f70a.jpg)
![84268 84268](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84285-f3a8b6612cd5c7fa7ba38ec0cef1d083.jpg)
![84269 84269](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84286-fc420eb5b91ecf2b34593b920561ef80.jpg)
I joined the main trail again. I ran into another hiker, headed up to Washburn, as a day hiker. She mentioned bear scat on the trail ahead, but I only saw horse manure. I hope she wasn't that new to hiking and doing a 20 mile day with 2500 feet of elevation gain (and loss) alone. Maybe... .
![84270 84270](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84287-7f76752eef7f565fab34c9693086294f.jpg)
This time I saw Silver Cord Falls. It's in the dark downward streak on the far wall. That was by the Ribbon Falls campsite from earlier this summer.
![84271 84271](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84288-591c45868c8c89ddf3dbe2e6f12ae404.jpg)
![84272 84272](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84289-3ee3b5c1d6dc0ff4bb44164b5cc700ae.jpg)
The last mile or so bobbed up and down a little, but was very rewarding. Views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are always gratifying. I got back to the car and headed to Canyon Village for some ice cream.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Step one, spray my hiking shirt with mosquito and tick spray (two different sprays).
![84241 84241](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84258-0880f4b4abebb97699136fd9c6a70e58.jpg)
The trailhead is called Glacial Boulder, because there's a large glacial boulder about 30 yards away.
Once you enter the woods, the are a few ravines to walk through and around, but then you get your first view. It showed promise.
![84243 84243](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84260-b906309d0aac3e2278cafdff31eecf94.jpg)
Supposedly, you could see Silver Cord Falls on the far wall. I looked, but not too closely. I sort of expected a sign. There was none, and the next thing I knew, I was on this roadbed trail and away from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A ways down the trail, the was a sign, in the middle of no where, saying the waterfall view was a half mile back. Sheesh. I'd look on my way back.
![84244 84244](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84261-eb340dc4383f57578fc2b21179300d34.jpg)
![20190831_132600.jpg 20190831_132600.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84264-a8256e119736bc4e3ed5434e3fabbaab.jpg)
Shortly after turning off the trail to Seven Mile Hole, I saw this meadow. Through the trees, the were wonderful views.
![84245 84245](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84262-78ef913ba23c5611a75c59045d1df2e7.jpg)
![84246 84246](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84263-74223e2637808c1b8eab1736796daf05.jpg)
![84248 84248](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84265-8d11ff9adfb54d5dc6b9263561a61f9d.jpg)
The Washburn Meadows Trail goes by some thermal features. Unlike most thermal areas in Yellowstone, the was absolutely no one else around.
![84249 84249](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84266-a9c19bde5a379a1b69d9c70f6d6c3c5b.jpg)
![84250 84250](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84267-5a5564697a111c4c5167a22c453d49c4.jpg)
![84251 84251](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84268-b32f0caeda574dd79456060012c9e726.jpg)
![84252 84252](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84269-aebea20e34237494ad4cdaf175c0c6df.jpg)
There was one named thermal feature, Inkpot Hot Spring. The water coming out looked like India Ink. It was like water, but black. It looked really odd, as I crossed the little outflow steam.
![84253 84253](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84270-e2253a3c27c8767998659e373ee6ee93.jpg)
It bubbled actively.
![84254 84254](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84271-68f3cd88a5d34699f374a244ee76fbd7.jpg)
It was a fairly small thermal area, but had active thermals. The show was worth the 4.5 mile hike. Now, another mile to the campsite.
![84255 84255](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84272-b2b35c64b54fb1ce8b271b34d785181d.jpg)
Much, but not all, of the remaining walk to the site was in large meadows. I was thinking it would be awesome to have a view like this from camp.
![84256 84256](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84273-802432f19f66d73781bb680da8b6cace.jpg)
![84257 84257](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84274-9150c78df36e70f700bbb38fdfba8c21.jpg)
Of course, with thoughts like that, you know the trail will go back into the woods. And, it did. I did run into two young men, once I got into the woods, who had started st the same trailhead as I had, and day hiked to the top of Mt. Washburn and were now headed back. They were quite enthusiastic, and I was glad to have run into them.
![84258 84258](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84275-1cf694d99379ea077523e234bab23b42.jpg)
The site itself was not great. It wasn't awful, but the views were limited. I went back to the trail to get water after following the signs to, well, no water. There was a fire pit and kitchen area that was dark, in the trees. It's in the trees just beyond the food pole.
![84259 84259](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84276-e31dfc2a807f283f6e51d34492141de6.jpg)
Directly under the food pole was evidence of a former visitor. Mink?
![84260 84260](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84277-cd387dce71433f212de03e5035b6090c.jpg)
I went to bed that night, wishing I had a view to the north. The Aurora Borealis was to be out. I didn't see it, but I did have a fantastic view of stars.
The next morning, about a quarter of a mile from camp, right on the trail, I found where yet another resident had left his mark. I assume this was grizzly scat, but it could be black bear. It hadn't been there the day before, or at least I hadn't noticed it.
![84261 84261](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84278-2362e83a79d7812a6f2adf2f1e731d92.jpg)
I watched sandhill cranes, in the distance.
![84262 84262](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84279-a6a9e3c3406080ce4756a2c842e690e8.jpg)
![84264 84264](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84281-db568c3dcd9713f1ef836fb4b62dd518.jpg)
![84265 84265](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84282-2e46d2f43f257d7a146fe074799e282e.jpg)
![84266 84266](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84283-104beddec3d898acc77dba03a27f856b.jpg)
Coming back to the thermal area, I got a better angle on the bison skull by the thermal pool. The were no other bones around it, and the display angle was perfect, so I assume someone put it there, but that would be a stupid place to walk.
![84267 84267](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84284-8a0dbffa23185ff3380c56619204f70a.jpg)
![84268 84268](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84285-f3a8b6612cd5c7fa7ba38ec0cef1d083.jpg)
![84269 84269](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84286-fc420eb5b91ecf2b34593b920561ef80.jpg)
I joined the main trail again. I ran into another hiker, headed up to Washburn, as a day hiker. She mentioned bear scat on the trail ahead, but I only saw horse manure. I hope she wasn't that new to hiking and doing a 20 mile day with 2500 feet of elevation gain (and loss) alone. Maybe... .
![84270 84270](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84287-7f76752eef7f565fab34c9693086294f.jpg)
This time I saw Silver Cord Falls. It's in the dark downward streak on the far wall. That was by the Ribbon Falls campsite from earlier this summer.
![84271 84271](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84288-591c45868c8c89ddf3dbe2e6f12ae404.jpg)
![84272 84272](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/84/84289-3ee3b5c1d6dc0ff4bb44164b5cc700ae.jpg)
The last mile or so bobbed up and down a little, but was very rewarding. Views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are always gratifying. I got back to the car and headed to Canyon Village for some ice cream.
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