Yellowstone's Heart Lake -- September 14-17 2020

[scatman]

I've been looking forward to your version of events Hugh -- its always rewarding (or eye opening) to learn how the same story is told from a different perspective. I suppose it was a good thing that I unpacked my bear bells to save weight when I returned to/locked the rental car!

I had packed and offered Hugh a variety of snack foods to try and win over his good graces (and also hope they would clear the grasshopper legs from his teeth) -- he seemed indifferent to the Reese's Pieces, freeze dried strawberries, and StroopWafels. . . but I could tell I hit a homerun with the Circus Peanuts when Hugh declared he wanted to take one to the top of Mount Sheridan. Those peanuts would always be in Grandma's cabinet when I would go to visit her and I always looked forward to them. . . as long as they were the orange ones. The multi-color packs with white and yellow flavors just don't compare. I have never ordered anything from Amazon but a 20lb. box could be tempting. . .

Hugh your pictures are fantastic! I'm sorry I kept calling every red plant "fireweed" and that I ever expressed even the slightest doubt about your scat-trail -- you may just have to contact National Geographic to have them update their topo maps.

I'd love to make Aster Lake up to you in the future Hugh. . . and I'd be all in for a BCP member Yellowstone get together sometime in the future. I'm thinking I'd like to put Dunanda Falls or Joseph's Coat/Hot Springs Basin area on a future location wish list. Then there is also/always the Belcher region with Mr. Bubbles and the Pitchstone Plateau. . .

This trip would not have been the same or had the half the appeal without you Hugh and it was a privilege and an honor to have met.

I have yet to go thru all my pictures from this year's trip, but here are a few from the times when the Scatman was absent.

I liked all the food you offered, I've just had them relatively recently. The circus peanuts on the other hand........ well it's been at least 46 years. My wife's ancestors hail from the Netherlands so I've had plenty of StrropWafels, usually from Sheila's mom.

Um, you didn't hear this from me, but I think you might be right about the huckleberry.

Nat Geo is not getting their hands on the Scat Trail.

 

[Pringles]

Great trip report! Approximately how far is it around the lake, using your interpretation of Scatman’s route, of course?

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

My pinky finger is a lot like a Bison's tail - if it's straight up then that means I am aggravated and best to keep a healthy distance.

Hey @scatman I was thinking this morning that bison also raise their tail when pooping. What was really going on in that photo?

I bet Josh was wishing he was a lot farther than 25 yards away.

 

[TractorDoc]

Great trip report! Approximately how far is it around the lake, using your interpretation of Scatman’s route, of course?

I think Hugh estimated the length of our hike to be 10 to 11 miles. I seem to remember thinking that was about right when I looked at my map back at camp.

 

[scatman]

Great trip report! Approximately how far is it around the lake, using your interpretation of Scatman’s route, of course?

Yes, approximately 11 miles.

 

[scatman]

Hey @scatman I was thinking this morning that bison also raise their tail when pooping. What was really going on in that photo?

I bet Josh was wishing he was a lot farther than 25 yards away.

Good question! When I poop, my little finger is raised, but there is a curl at the end of it - kind of like a candy cane.

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Good question! When I poop, my little finger is raised, but there is a curl at the end of it - kind of like a candy cane.

Can't bleach that out of my brain.

 

[Pringles]

Thank you for the distance information.

I, too, am having problems getting the finger thing out of my brain.

 

[TractorDoc]

Finally figured out how to edit a video from the GoPro I used this year.

Here is Rustic Geyser erupting for those who share my love of thermal features.

 

[Miya]

Great share! Ugh, I always forget to lock my car too, or think I didn't lock it and always end up walking back to make sure haha.

That was a lot of reeses pieces!

 

[Rockskipper]

That next to last photo looks like a tornado.

 

[The Trout Whisperer]

Loved the reports...but I have a couple of questions that’s been bugging’ me...how in th tarnation did y’all shrink yer packs after hittin’ th trail..and more importantly, why didn’t ya keep em shrunk for th hike out?

 

[scatman]

Loved the reports...but I have a couple of questions that’s been bugging’ me...how in th tarnation did y’all shrink yer packs after hittin’ th trail..and more importantly, why didn’t ya keep em shrunk for th hike out?

It's magic! I can only speak for myself on this one, while @TractorDoc my have his own explanation. I carry an REI Flash18 in with me as a stuff sack for my clothes. It serves two purposes: First, I use it as my pillow, and second, I use it for day hikes if I have any planned. Also, I m not the brightest bulb in the package when it comes to returning to the trailhead with a lighter pack.

 

[TractorDoc]

Well, it took about five and a half years. . . but I managed to put a video together of this trip. I did not take a lot of footage back then, so the "video" is picture heavy and probably a repeat of what is already in this report. There is some video footage though. . . and at least there is no singing this time!

 

[wsp_scott]

I can't belive that it was you that introduced Hugh to Circus Peanuts. If you had asked me when I met the two of you (2021), I would have said it was a long running @scatman tradition. Still think you both are insane for eating them

 

[Rockskipper]

Still think you both are insane for eating them

That's one of the more minor forms of insanity they practice.

 

[Rockskipper]

Well, it took about five and a half years.

A good therapist takes their time.

Nice video! You're a talented videographer. Your intro photo of the lake is stunning. Couldn't see it real well, but the photo above your shoulder in the intro discussion looks like it has Scatman in it, or else you know another crazed kilt wearer.

 

[Yvonne]

Great video!! You're faster than I am. I have footage from about 8 years ago. I haven't even started any videos yet, lol.

 

[TractorDoc]

I can't belive that it was you that introduced Hugh to Circus Peanuts. If you had asked me when I met the two of you (2021), I would have said it was a long running @scatman tradition.

Now Scott, you simply need to go back and dust off the sentences in this trip report. I would say Circus Peanuts are a long running @scatman tradition. In his own words he had enjoyed them as a Scatolescent back in the day. He must have just taken a break for several decades.

Now I haven't had a circus peanut since I was nine or ten years old. I didn't even know that they still made them. But when I heard Dave say circus peanut, my whole body instantaneously was filled with joy.

Joy, Scott. He was filled with Joy! And a semi-rubbery, chewy, orangish substance.

Still think you both are insane for eating them

That's one of the more minor forms of insanity they practice.

A little insanity now and again keeps life interesting.

Your intro photo of the lake is stunning. Couldn't see it real well, but the photo above your shoulder in the intro discussion looks like it has Scatman in it, or else you know another crazed kilt wearer.

One of the reasons I lug a heavy camera around is to take pictures that can be enlarged later. I like to hang landscapes of various places I've been in the waiting room/exam rooms at my office. Every now and again I'll have one made for my personal office -- that one is of Hugh, @Bob and I on top of Bighorn Peak when hiking Sky Rim. I'm not sure how clients would react if I placed a picture of @scatman in the lobby.

I haven't even started any videos yet, lol.

I'm sure you'll get there/find the time. Volcanoes have to stop erupting first.

 

[scatman]

Nice video! You're a talented videographer.

You're going to give him a big head Skipper, and then I'll have to deal with it later this summer in the backcountry.

I'm getting fired up for St. Paddy's day Skipper. I'm seeing an Irish car bomb in our futures!