HughHarris

Backpacking the backcountry of Yellowstone- a night at 4E1

We made our way out for a 5.6 mile hike and an overnight stay in the backcountry at camp site 4E1 which is situated at the base of Mt. Washburn. Our trail took us out The Glacier Boulder trail to the Seven Mile Hole trail and the the Washburn Mtn trail. A relatively flat hike as we paralleled the North Rim of the YS Grand Canyon. We crossed several creeks along the way and saw numerous meadows with wild flowers in full bloom. Once we entered the Washburn trail we began seeing the Mtn peek and the fire tower atop one of the highest peeks in YS. We crossed a very large meadow just before finding the camp site. The minute we sat our bags down we knew we were in trouble.

It was 530 & we were ready to get out from under our bags & enjoy a cool night by the fire & seeing the stars come out & then the attack…Mosquitos the size of yellow jackets. We had bug spray because we knew we might have some bugs but this storm of vermits we had never seen and they were resistant to any big spray.

We built a fire and we seemed to fight them for awhile but the only solace was in the tent. After a quick sponge bath in the nearby spring it was a dark for the tent & the fight to keep them out.

The next morning they were worse. The decision was to head back due to bugs & bears. Sights had been recorded at the camp headquarters of bears on Mt. Washburn. We thought about shooting some of the Mosquitos, dressing them out & grilling them over the open fire but we decided to rad back to the camp grounds & a less invested area.

On to Old Faithful tomorrow.

July 4, 2013 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education, Exercise | Leave a comment