Trail Log 1995-1997 - Lamar at Colorado State University

Quite a sight. They had to swim the deeper part and were underwater except for heads sticking
out. The calves seem to have no big problem; they did it as well as the adults.
Four bull elk in a field, lying down, not long before Canyon.
Checked in at Canyon, and then drove out to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Osprey on
nest at one of the overlooks. Drove the Mount Washburn Road, and out the Lamar Valley road as
far as Slough Creek, but no bear activity. A good thunderstorm on the way back.
Night at Canyon.
July 28, Monday. Up at 4.30 a.m. and off to Lamar Valley. For the first few miles we were in and
out of fog, but the Mount Washburn area was clear. Stopped at Slough Creek for twenty minutes
or so, then on to Buffalo Ranch. The Lamar Valley was covered in fog, but it cleared not so long
after we met the backpacking group at Buffalo Ranch.
Backpacking in Grizzly Country. Leaders: Michael Bartley and Marla Darby, both students at CSU.
I had Michael in environmental ethics class two or three years back. Others: two from Red Lodge
and Roberts, Sally Rodibaugh and Aileen Anderson; she is a sheep farmer. Ron Mayer and Nora
Scanlan; he is with social security; she is a guidance counselor. Taryn Samuels, working for
Yellowstone National Park. E. A. McCracken, Jr., formerly from Arkansas, now Helena MT,
interested in hunting and fishing. Pat Fiore, young boy who got soaking wet, had worked briefly for
Forest Service.
We shuttled to the trailhead at Warm Springs Picnic area, leaving the most of the cars at Pebble
Creek campground. On the trail, we climbed 1,200 feet and then dropped into Pebble Creek
drainage. Lunched a little past the top, with various tips from Michael and Marla about how to
behave in grizzly country. Camped at site 3P5, in good weather, but it started raining after we went
to bed and pretty much rained for 24 hours. Gentle but steady rain all night. So far we kept pretty
dry.
July 29, Tuesday. A wet day. I managed to get the tent down and packed up when it wasn't raining.
Off at 9.30 a.m. and hiked down Pebble Creek all day. Three good stream crossings, which took
some trouble trying to keep halfway dry feet. Good wildflowers. Camped at 3P1. Still raining; we
set up camp in and out of the rain, though there were some blue spots. Deer around camp, rather
tame, and, later, chasing each other around.
July 30, Wednesday. Clear day, and I climbed out into wet pants and boots.
Pam Gontz hiked in and walked out with us. She had come into be sure she caught me about the
Ft. Collins flood, but didn't tell me until we were out at the trailhead. One splendid bear tree, with
nice claw marks. But otherwise no fresh bear sign.
Out about 1.00 p.m. Showered at the Ranch, dried out, and repacked for the drive to Missoula.
Stopped at Mammoth Hot Springs to phone home and found that my office had been flooded out,
floor to ceiling. The University suffered $ 130 million damages, lost the books in the basement of
the library, including journals. Lost all the textbooks in the bookstore. I called a New York Times
reporter, who had tried to contact me. Jane had a half inch of water in the basement at home.
Montana trip continued below.