August 1st, 2024
Mile Marker: 1009.5
Miles Hiked: 27
What a day.
We decided to wake up early so that we could hit the Old Faithful breakfast buffet. We are always motivated by food. We set an alarm and got up around 5:30 AM and were rolling by a little after 6. We only had 10 miles to go and with the easy terrain we figured we would get there a little after 9 AM, an hour before they closed.
The morning was very chilly, on the brink of frost. Journey and I decided to eat a quick bar, pour coffee/hot chocolate in our water bottles and head out. We needed to warm up our bodies fast.
We moved at a very quick speed knowing that we probably wouldn’t get fully warm until the sun came up.
A quarter after 7 we started to feel the sun between the trees and started to thaw. Thank goodness.
Close to 8 and with 4ish miles left we started to spot geysers off in the distance between the trees. We were getting closer to Old Faithful and I was getting so excited!
It felt different walking on this part of trail, like we were on vacation like everyone else.
We first approached a closed trail sign as the CDT walked right through the area that had the recent explosion. So we followed the reroute.
There was so many geysers it was wild. I felt like I was on a different planet. Also, there wasn’t many people out yet early in the morning so I was just loving it. I took so many pictures it’s hard to pick a couple.
We arrived at the Old Faithful Lodge and I was shocked at the structure. What a cool place.
We then chatted with the host of the restaurant and he let us know there was a table for hikers already and we noticed Captain sitting at a table. It only had four people and we needed 5. We asked the host if we could add a chair and initially they said no, but with a little persuasion, they let us add one or else Journey and I would have had to wait 40 minutes. 🫣
We loaded up plates and down multiple cups of coffee. Ahhhhhh… This is what I needed.
Towards the end of our breakfast the waitress chatted with us for a while. She was from Poland and after some conversation she asked how long we were hiking for. We told her we are going to Mexico and she said, “Oh, you’re these people” as if she had heard about us before but never met one. It made all of us laugh and we enjoyed answering all her common questions; how long does it take, how do you shower, what do you carry?
After breakfast we headed to the post office to pick up our resupply box (Thanks Bunch Family!) and restocked on food. We sat in the Snow Lodge for a while to charge up devices, repack our bags, and look through the new postcards we purchased.
Then we decided to grab a coffee and get ready for the Old Faithful Geyser to go off.
Watching the geyser was thrilling. Occasionally it would quickly roll a huge amount of steam and everyone would be on their toes excited for it go off until it would roll back to a gentle simmer.
The geyser did this a few times and once had a small wave of water come out and all of us looked around curious if that was it.
Nope.
Within 5 more minutes Old Faithful shot up with glory. I was amazed at how much water came gushing straight up and out for so long! It was magnificent!
We then decided we should continue on as we had 15 more miles to hike until camp. We left around 1:30 PM and kept a smooth pace.
We also knew a big lake was coming up in 10 miles that we could dry out our tent and sleeping bag from last night and maybe get a swim in.
The trail was smooth for majority of the way and we were loving it. We moved easily and covered a lot of ground quickly.
A couple miles before the lake we started to smell sulfur again and then noticed more geysers. No way?
The trail led us along a new area of geysers and got right next to them.
One of the the geysers actually started to go off right as I was walking by so I quickly ran backwards so that we could watch it. We could feel the heat coming off of these ones. I can’t even imagine how hot that water is.
I really felt like I was on a different planet here as it was just Journey and I walking through this area.
We then came across this huge open meadow. It was beautiful, especially with its lily covered stream but our feet ended up muddy and wet. We both just kept walking as we knew we could wash our shoes out at the lake.
Shortly after we arrived at the lake and were so impressed. It was massive, clear, cold, beautiful, AND the mosquitos weren’t outrageous yet. YAY!
We set out our belongings to dry, took a dip in the water, then started to cook dinner.
However, as we were cooking, Journey found a leech on him. 🫣 So I guess the water wasn’t as cold as I thought.
While making dinner, Captain arrived and all of us chatted and ate. Captain had met some NOBOs he hiked with in New Mexico at Old Faithful so we asked him if they had any good tips or what they had to say about Wyoming. We got some ideas for good places to eat in the coming towns which is always exciting.
After close to 2 hours at the lake, we decided to head out thinking we only had 3 miles left to hike.
Captain then let us know that our camp site is 2 more miles from that. I felt so silly. I had barely looked at the map after talking with the ranger, my fault entirely. So instead of 3 miles we had 5 more miles to camp. Not a huge deal with this type of terrain but I didn’t want to get into camp late and now we would. I toyed with the idea of staying at the first campground anyways but we decided to continue for the full 5.
We had a couple unusually steep and short climbs but nothing we couldn’t handle. We made it to camp and I quickly had a feeling Akela and Karma wouldn’t be here as we arrived late.
The mosquitos were pretty outrageous so we set up camp fast to escape them. We both still agreed they are miserable but way better than the biting flies so we try to manage.
I messaged Whatever if he saw Akela and Karma and he let me know they arrived at their campsite, the one I thought we were originally going to.
Bummed. I was so thrilled to have a permit and get to hang with Akela and Karma but such is our luck, back to camping just us two.
I don’t think I’ll mind when we are out of grizzly territory but for now, I love the company. More people, more awareness.
Overall a pretty stellar day though and I’m so happy with this opportunity to explore Yellowstone!
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 