Daily Log: Day 18

18 1951.6 7/2/2021 sunny, clear, puffy white clouds. Woke about 4:45. Justin and I were on trail about 5:30. Lots of little ups and downs which were tiring. Overall the terrain was flatish. I led and Justin followed. He was gracious to chat to keep me entertained to make the time go by and to scare off any bears. We stopped for lunch by Heart River. And soon we were at our reserved site 8J3 after 14.6 miles. We had a little trouble finding the site because we had to cross Surprise Creek to see our marker. Our tents are up and we’re each in our tents to keep the mosquitoes away. Although dark clouds threaten, no rain has happened.

While hiking in Yellowstone together we had to ford various streams. Wet pants, wet shoes, and wet socks are all part of the hiking experience
Justin following Tartan through shade… (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Through sun… (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Both up and down as the trail meanders through Yellowstone (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Enjoying the hike together through Yellowstone (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Tartan fording one of many streams he encountered while hiking today (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Our first Yellowstone “permitted” campsite at 8J3 Surprise Lake (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)
Dinner and then into our tents to get away from those dang mosquitoes. That’s not a bandage on his nose. It’s a Breathe Right nasal strip to open his nasal passages and allow him to breathe easier (Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)