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- Aug 21, 2018
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Way back in September @scatman , @CajunPoncho , friend Cody, and I ventured across some on and off trail terrain in central Yellowstone.
Hugh posted his version of events, I'm finally getting around to writing up my side of things. Link to Hugh's report: Hugh's Perspective
Long, long ago, during a winter far away, I convinced Hugh to join myself and two friends for yet another Yellowstone experience in 2025. Visiting the park the week after Labor Day has become a tradition for the last decade or so. The elk bugling, the bugs freezing, the children back in school (mostly). . . there is something magical about that time of year. I usually reserve the cheapest lodging I can find in the park for two nights, incorporate a backcountry portion for several nights, then have a room/cabin to retreat to once out of the backcountry/before flying back home. This report focuses on the day in between those first two nights of cheap lodging (which as the years have past are not so cheap anymore).
Hugh and I always plan/dream up various routes to take advantage of such days -- days where we can cover new or challenging ground without the burden of heavy packs. He had said I needed to see Violet Springs, and I am aware of his affections for the Hayden Valley, so it seemed natural to incorporate those into this year's day hike. After staring at maps/Google Earth I noted a number of other interesting thermal areas North of Violet Springs, so I suggested we start somewhere on the Norris/Canyon road and embark on a shuttle hike that would spit us out at the Western Mary Mountain Trailhead. Hugh suggested we start at the Cygnet Lakes Trailhead, take the trail a distance South, then cut over towards the thermals via way of Otter Creek. We calculated the distance at about 11 miles. @Bob was invited to come along, but he has been on one too many off trail Scatman routes and chose not to abuse his body on this one.
We skipped the pleasantries of a buffet breakfast and instead chose to eat donuts/pop tarts on our way to the trailhead. We dropped the trusty Subaru off at Mary Mountain West, then drove back to Cygnet Lakes. Group picture at the trailhead.
Trailhead sign. I want to say we eventually jumped off somewhere near the small East to West section above the origins of Otter Creek.
This area was burned in the 1988 North Fork Fire. We wondered if this was the old trailhead information board. Hugh looks skeptical.
We were doused with some sprinkles while walking thru areas of burn and occasional surviving stands of trees. This resulted in Patrick's donning of his bright blue poncho, bringing back fond memories of the Broad Creek/Pelican Valley slog of 2022.
It did not take long to reach the off trail portion of the hike. By @scatman standards the amount of downfall on this one was rather tame. We pushed thru brushy undergrowth that was still damp from the morning drizzle.
Our path led us to a large meadow at the headwaters of Otter Creek. Nice walking thru here, as long as you have the right footwear.
Patrick and Hugh took a minute to practice their defensive postures in the event of a bear encounter. One could bring about the same response if they went after Patrick's bottle of Tabasco Sauce or Hugh's baggie of dried okra.
A jaunt to the far end of the meadow found water that marked the beginnings of Otter Creek.
As the creek grew wider the ground beneath our feet began to show evidence of thermal activity.
We broke thru a cluster of trees to the sight of a large thermal plain. Rays of sun began to break thru the clouds to greet us; one could almost hear an angelic "Aahhhhhhh" as if the backcountry was acknowledging our arrival.
A highlight of any Yellowstone day hike is the discovery of an off-trail mud pot. Hugh's ears picked up on the location of this one and we were entertained by the blurps and plops of thick mud for a bit.
A YouTube short for better visuals/sound of the action.
I could sit and watch a mud pot bubble all day, but we had goals, so we took the path of least resistance in a generally Southward direction.
The terrain was fascinating. A mixture of tepid pools in a variety of colors extended as far as one could see.
Hugh spotted what he described as a "Sweet Bison Skull" in the distance; I'd had to agree when we saw it up close.
Most of the trees we passed where likely in their late 30s. I was a rambunctious teenager when they were starting to sprout.
The next mile was a mix of forest, scorched earth, and steam/bubbling water finding its way to the surface.
Two mud pots in close proximity but contrast in color.
Patterns of style and symmetry emerge from the chaos of fire and erosion.
On occasion the trees would give way to a more open area such as this small pond. Visiting in September meant that we could walk around the pond/in areas that would be soupy earlier in the year.
Receding waters also revealed treasures like this set of antlers that would have otherwise been partially submerged.
Complete respect for the set of neck muscles that had to carry these around.
The thermal ground covered a lot of area. The region reminded me a lot of the Hot Springs Basin we visited North of Wapiti Lake back in 2022.
Interesting features were everywhere if one took the time to look. The sulfur crystals on these vents look prickly like a cactus.
We stopped for a sunscreen and snack break in a stand of trees. I remember the air holding a chill but the sun quickly elevated one's temperature, so the presence of shade was welcome. We did not sit for long and after a short walk thru some juvenile lodgepoles we emerged to a view of Hayden Valley. You can almost sense the tear of joy that would have formed in the corner of Hugh's eye if he was capable of such things.
We had arrived at an expansive thermal complex that would extend all the way down a large hillside. Cody spotted a bull elk moving amongst the trees in the center of the picture, I was not able to locate him in any of the shots I took.
We scampered down the hillside and (I) experienced a bit of sensory overload. The colors were constantly changing, the ground was hissing, a hint of sulfur tickled the nostrils, the sun/cloud shade/wind was felt on the skin, and I could still taste some jerky stuck between my teeth from our snack break earlier. Thank goodness I had floss waiting for me back at the room.
I do not know which area is specifically known as Violet Springs, but I had a feeling it was this area that had the most hot water in it.
I might have called these springs turquoise over violet. . .
But there were other areas that held a darker blue tone.
We circled around the thermal ground and found a nice log to sit on for a lunch break. Looking down into the springs as we walked on a grassy ridge.
What follows are some pictures of the Violet Springs area from different perspectives. I usually miss out on a restful lunch break because I'm taking photos from all the angles, using all the settings, even swapping out to a different lens here and there. My theory is that if I take enough pictures one or two of them will turn out nicely. The clouds were putting on quite a show and the backdrop was changing by the minute.
Eventually I did settle in to nibble on a meal bar and some Reece's Pieces with the others. Notice how Hugh has an aura of light/brightness around him. . . Hayden Valley seems to enjoy his presence.
On occasion we incorporate games of skill into our day hikes. Today's challenge was the Circus Peanut Toss. The goal is simple -- toss a Circus Peanut in the air and catch it in your mouth. If you miss you have to try again (and hope it did not land on one of the many dried bison patties around your feet). The declared winner is he/she who catches the peanut first, but let's face it, even the persons not catching the peanut first still get to eat it. . . so everyone wins in the end.
I used the GoPro to record the events as they unfolded. Here is a frame from the video. . . you'll have to wait until I put the day hike video together to watch the full competition.
The clouds overhead had begun to thicken and look more menacing, so we decided to hop on one of the many bison trails in the area that led us in the direction of the Mary Mountain Trail.
Did we have to cross a sliver of area in the new Hayden Valley Bear Management Area before reaching the official Mary Mountain Trail OR were we on the official Mary Mountain Trail the entire time? This is the trail we followed, and it certainly looks official to me.
The water in this cascade was quite warm. It would have been nice to take a soak in if you did not mind getting covered in a slippery green substance.
I tend to find a higher gear when I know the hike is nearing its conclusion. If I move quickly enough, I get an opportunity to take pictures of my companions from a distance.
Several wildlife sightings on our walk across Hayden.
The trailhead is just up around the corner. . . in the area where all those dark clouds are gathering.
We made it to the Subaru with just enough time to take this picture before it really started raining. Could not have timed our day any better. . . unless you do not like driving in the rain.
Hugh dropped Cody and I off at our car at the Cygnet Lakes TH. Patrick stayed with Hugh in the Subaru. Cody and I found this amusing, mostly because we know Patrick's personality and his tendencies. Hugh (in my opinion) tends to be a quiet, calm, and stoic individual. Patrick is a good guy, and I'm glad he is family, but his is also very animated, talkative, and has a vivid imagination. Cody and I were trying to envision the conversation taking place between the two of them. We guessed it was rather one sided with Patrick doing most of the talking.
We experienced a variety of weather on the drive back to our cabin at the Old Faithful Lodge. The rain turned to sleet and even snow for a short time. . . just as we were exiting the Grand Loop Road it began to hail in appreciable amounts. We were hesitant to get out of the car when back at the cabin in fear of being pelted by small icy balls. Just look at the poor Subaru!
The hail eventually let up and wandered over to the Old Faithful Inn Cafeteria for some dinner. I know a lot of people grumble about the inferior quality/options of food at some of the Yellowstone vendors, but I found whatever this BBQ offering was to be scrumptious. You can tell I was hungry because I took a few bites before remembering to take a picture!
This was the end of our day hike, but not of our time in Yellowstone. The next day we would be meeting up with @Bob and start a several night backcountry trip along Boundary Creek. Posting that report will be next on my to do list.
The End!
Hugh posted his version of events, I'm finally getting around to writing up my side of things. Link to Hugh's report: Hugh's Perspective
Long, long ago, during a winter far away, I convinced Hugh to join myself and two friends for yet another Yellowstone experience in 2025. Visiting the park the week after Labor Day has become a tradition for the last decade or so. The elk bugling, the bugs freezing, the children back in school (mostly). . . there is something magical about that time of year. I usually reserve the cheapest lodging I can find in the park for two nights, incorporate a backcountry portion for several nights, then have a room/cabin to retreat to once out of the backcountry/before flying back home. This report focuses on the day in between those first two nights of cheap lodging (which as the years have past are not so cheap anymore).
Hugh and I always plan/dream up various routes to take advantage of such days -- days where we can cover new or challenging ground without the burden of heavy packs. He had said I needed to see Violet Springs, and I am aware of his affections for the Hayden Valley, so it seemed natural to incorporate those into this year's day hike. After staring at maps/Google Earth I noted a number of other interesting thermal areas North of Violet Springs, so I suggested we start somewhere on the Norris/Canyon road and embark on a shuttle hike that would spit us out at the Western Mary Mountain Trailhead. Hugh suggested we start at the Cygnet Lakes Trailhead, take the trail a distance South, then cut over towards the thermals via way of Otter Creek. We calculated the distance at about 11 miles. @Bob was invited to come along, but he has been on one too many off trail Scatman routes and chose not to abuse his body on this one.
We skipped the pleasantries of a buffet breakfast and instead chose to eat donuts/pop tarts on our way to the trailhead. We dropped the trusty Subaru off at Mary Mountain West, then drove back to Cygnet Lakes. Group picture at the trailhead.
Trailhead sign. I want to say we eventually jumped off somewhere near the small East to West section above the origins of Otter Creek.
This area was burned in the 1988 North Fork Fire. We wondered if this was the old trailhead information board. Hugh looks skeptical.
We were doused with some sprinkles while walking thru areas of burn and occasional surviving stands of trees. This resulted in Patrick's donning of his bright blue poncho, bringing back fond memories of the Broad Creek/Pelican Valley slog of 2022.
It did not take long to reach the off trail portion of the hike. By @scatman standards the amount of downfall on this one was rather tame. We pushed thru brushy undergrowth that was still damp from the morning drizzle.
Our path led us to a large meadow at the headwaters of Otter Creek. Nice walking thru here, as long as you have the right footwear.
Patrick and Hugh took a minute to practice their defensive postures in the event of a bear encounter. One could bring about the same response if they went after Patrick's bottle of Tabasco Sauce or Hugh's baggie of dried okra.
A jaunt to the far end of the meadow found water that marked the beginnings of Otter Creek.
As the creek grew wider the ground beneath our feet began to show evidence of thermal activity.
A highlight of any Yellowstone day hike is the discovery of an off-trail mud pot. Hugh's ears picked up on the location of this one and we were entertained by the blurps and plops of thick mud for a bit.
A YouTube short for better visuals/sound of the action.
I could sit and watch a mud pot bubble all day, but we had goals, so we took the path of least resistance in a generally Southward direction.
The terrain was fascinating. A mixture of tepid pools in a variety of colors extended as far as one could see.
Hugh spotted what he described as a "Sweet Bison Skull" in the distance; I'd had to agree when we saw it up close.
Most of the trees we passed where likely in their late 30s. I was a rambunctious teenager when they were starting to sprout.
The next mile was a mix of forest, scorched earth, and steam/bubbling water finding its way to the surface.
Patterns of style and symmetry emerge from the chaos of fire and erosion.
On occasion the trees would give way to a more open area such as this small pond. Visiting in September meant that we could walk around the pond/in areas that would be soupy earlier in the year.
Receding waters also revealed treasures like this set of antlers that would have otherwise been partially submerged.
Complete respect for the set of neck muscles that had to carry these around.
The thermal ground covered a lot of area. The region reminded me a lot of the Hot Springs Basin we visited North of Wapiti Lake back in 2022.
Interesting features were everywhere if one took the time to look. The sulfur crystals on these vents look prickly like a cactus.
We stopped for a sunscreen and snack break in a stand of trees. I remember the air holding a chill but the sun quickly elevated one's temperature, so the presence of shade was welcome. We did not sit for long and after a short walk thru some juvenile lodgepoles we emerged to a view of Hayden Valley. You can almost sense the tear of joy that would have formed in the corner of Hugh's eye if he was capable of such things.
We had arrived at an expansive thermal complex that would extend all the way down a large hillside. Cody spotted a bull elk moving amongst the trees in the center of the picture, I was not able to locate him in any of the shots I took.
We scampered down the hillside and (I) experienced a bit of sensory overload. The colors were constantly changing, the ground was hissing, a hint of sulfur tickled the nostrils, the sun/cloud shade/wind was felt on the skin, and I could still taste some jerky stuck between my teeth from our snack break earlier. Thank goodness I had floss waiting for me back at the room.
I do not know which area is specifically known as Violet Springs, but I had a feeling it was this area that had the most hot water in it.
I might have called these springs turquoise over violet. . .
But there were other areas that held a darker blue tone.
We circled around the thermal ground and found a nice log to sit on for a lunch break. Looking down into the springs as we walked on a grassy ridge.
What follows are some pictures of the Violet Springs area from different perspectives. I usually miss out on a restful lunch break because I'm taking photos from all the angles, using all the settings, even swapping out to a different lens here and there. My theory is that if I take enough pictures one or two of them will turn out nicely. The clouds were putting on quite a show and the backdrop was changing by the minute.
Eventually I did settle in to nibble on a meal bar and some Reece's Pieces with the others. Notice how Hugh has an aura of light/brightness around him. . . Hayden Valley seems to enjoy his presence.
On occasion we incorporate games of skill into our day hikes. Today's challenge was the Circus Peanut Toss. The goal is simple -- toss a Circus Peanut in the air and catch it in your mouth. If you miss you have to try again (and hope it did not land on one of the many dried bison patties around your feet). The declared winner is he/she who catches the peanut first, but let's face it, even the persons not catching the peanut first still get to eat it. . . so everyone wins in the end.
I used the GoPro to record the events as they unfolded. Here is a frame from the video. . . you'll have to wait until I put the day hike video together to watch the full competition.
Did we have to cross a sliver of area in the new Hayden Valley Bear Management Area before reaching the official Mary Mountain Trail OR were we on the official Mary Mountain Trail the entire time? This is the trail we followed, and it certainly looks official to me.
The water in this cascade was quite warm. It would have been nice to take a soak in if you did not mind getting covered in a slippery green substance.
I tend to find a higher gear when I know the hike is nearing its conclusion. If I move quickly enough, I get an opportunity to take pictures of my companions from a distance.
Several wildlife sightings on our walk across Hayden.
Couldn't quite get the kilt in the silhouette but still think this is a good image of Hugh in one of his favorite places.The trailhead is just up around the corner. . . in the area where all those dark clouds are gathering.
We made it to the Subaru with just enough time to take this picture before it really started raining. Could not have timed our day any better. . . unless you do not like driving in the rain.
Hugh dropped Cody and I off at our car at the Cygnet Lakes TH. Patrick stayed with Hugh in the Subaru. Cody and I found this amusing, mostly because we know Patrick's personality and his tendencies. Hugh (in my opinion) tends to be a quiet, calm, and stoic individual. Patrick is a good guy, and I'm glad he is family, but his is also very animated, talkative, and has a vivid imagination. Cody and I were trying to envision the conversation taking place between the two of them. We guessed it was rather one sided with Patrick doing most of the talking.
We experienced a variety of weather on the drive back to our cabin at the Old Faithful Lodge. The rain turned to sleet and even snow for a short time. . . just as we were exiting the Grand Loop Road it began to hail in appreciable amounts. We were hesitant to get out of the car when back at the cabin in fear of being pelted by small icy balls. Just look at the poor Subaru!
The hail eventually let up and wandered over to the Old Faithful Inn Cafeteria for some dinner. I know a lot of people grumble about the inferior quality/options of food at some of the Yellowstone vendors, but I found whatever this BBQ offering was to be scrumptious. You can tell I was hungry because I took a few bites before remembering to take a picture!
This was the end of our day hike, but not of our time in Yellowstone. The next day we would be meeting up with @Bob and start a several night backcountry trip along Boundary Creek. Posting that report will be next on my to do list.
The End!
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