Bechler Pitchstone Backpack 2009

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To accomplish this trip, we put one vehicle at the end of the trip, south of Lewis Lake in Yellowstone. We car camped out of our Highlander on Saturday night. Wine before dinner helps the semi-marginal food at the Flagg Ranch. Roger, Patti and Noreen are relaxing.

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Next morning, we drove 75 minutes on dirt road to the Fish Lake trailhead, and hiked north. Boy, being the last person on the train, it was a tad dusty. And did I mention the heat and the bugs. Why do you think we are wearing long pants??

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A bit after one mile, one has to ford the Falls River. Not super deep or swift, but wide. Susie is crossing here.

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Patti looks happy. Probably because the cool water feels so good in the heat.

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Second ford of the day, Mountain Ash Creek. The problem with fords is that they burn 20 minutes per crossing. But they feel good cooling the lower part of your body.

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Time to check the map and have a bite to eat.

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Roger is fooling with his GPS or camera, a common activity, while Noreen is probably lamenting being with such slow hikers ;-)

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OK, lunch is down, so it is time to get back into the dust. But the creek is pretty.

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As are the wildflowers along it.

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It is nearly 10 miles from the trailhead to our first night's camp. Lots of crossing dry meadows. Roger, Patti, and Noreen.

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Another dry meadow.

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Well, we are getting there. Why is Roger wearing that hat with flaps? Because he needs to keep his head warm. Ah, not exactly. Did I mention bugs??

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Ah, another ford. Feels Sooooo good.

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OK, the step up is a bit high. At least Roger can help in some way.

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After over 6 hours of hiking, we finally make it to campsite 9B2. Not super, but the views are not bad. But the mosquitos are waiting for us.

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A view from camp, with the Tetons in the distance.

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After a rough night (did I mention the clouds of bugs as dusk?), we got up before 6 am, while it was semi-cool, before our winged friends got active, and we were underway by 8:15 or so. Here, we are crossing another meadow before we get into Bechler Canyon.

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Ouzel Falls in the distance.

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Time for a break along the river. The climb is gradual up the canyon, but it is still a climb. Trail is pretty rocky.

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Roger takes a break to view the river.

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Some fireweed along the river.

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Time for another break. The pikas are freaking out that we decided to stop here. We found one of their stashes of freshly cut grass.

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Collonade Falls. Lots of waterfalls along the river.

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Looking back down the canyon.