Great Hike to Fairy Falls (and Video)Aug 17, 2011
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A hot spring at the start of our hike
Raven watching Jane "boot-up"
Behind Prismatic Lake
| First day off from work. After getting some chores done Jane thought we needed some exercise, so she suggested we go into the park and finish a hike we had started before, but had to quit because of time constraints. So off we went to Fairy Falls. This is a 5+ mile hike…first two miles in is pretty flat and easy, last half mile the trail is very narrow and rocky. We left the trailhead at 1:55 and started our hike…past the back of Prismatic Lake and along the edge of forest and meadow….THEN, about ¾ of a mile along our way a wolf crossed the trail thirty yards in front of us!….eyes burning like coals, fangs dripping blood from its most recent kill…OK, maybe I didn’t actually see the eyes and the fangs, but still, a wild wolf that close is enough to make you stop in your tracks. Pat…”Where are the bear bells?” Me…”I don’t think wolves care about bear bells” Pat…”What will you do if he comes toward us?” Me….”Knock you down and run” So we continued down the trail (after a moment of hesitation, and with Jane in front) closely watching the forest side he had run into. I later realized that he had probably sensed the aura of the trapper that surrounds me…that’s probably why he ran away. I also started to question Pat’s decision to lead the old Trailblazer down the trail….even I am starting to be confused! Who am I anyway? After a little more than an hour of hiking we first heard the falls, then saw them. Well worth the effort. The falls drop about 100 feet, then tumble another 100 feet down a rock cliff front. Very cool. We stayed about half an hour then hiked back to the car, ate PB & J, then drove over to the Hayden Valley where we usually see plenty of buff, elk and the occasional wolf pack. Last time we were there we saw a griz with three cubs. This time two buff and that was all, so we headed back home. On the way home we saw an elk right next to the road, which caused a major traffic jam…proof that although the numbers are down, there are still people going to the park everyday for the first time. “LOOK MILDRED….A REAL LIVE ANIMAL….LET’S JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WATCH” Anyway, pretty uneventful drive back, but a great day at the falls. See a video by clicking here: Fairy Falls |
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