Teton Crest
For Jann's birthday, she wanted to hike the Teton Crest Trail. Perhaps selfishly, I wanted to go too. After my knee replacement surgery in December, I've been recovering slowly. Biking and hiking haven't been going great, but I figured that I could handle it like I always do. Slowly. Eventually getting there. But it turns out, I couldn't. About six mile in, I was spent, and we had to stop.
We took the tram up Rendezvous Peak, at Teton Village. Here, we're starting down, with 10 miles to go to our first campsite.
Mountain meadows.
At six miles, we reached Marion Lake, for lunch. An unfortunately, I was cooked. Jann realized I was in trouble, and said no problem, we'll just hike the two miles back to Granite, and camp there, then hike back up Rendezvous and take the tram back to the car. I should have let Jann and Jack just go on the trip by themselves.
Camping at Granite, which was, strictly speaking, not allowed on our permit. But, hiker in distress.
Watering up for the hike out.
I would not have made it back up the mountain without Jack occasionally running back and getting my pack. He'd hike ahead, and when Jann caught up to watch the packs, run back to me, struggling with the climb. Hiking is much easier without a pack.
Back at the top.
At the tippy top.
We had two more days to muck about, so we car camped at Gros Ventre campground.
Jack after dinner.
Then, the next day we day hiked to Inspiration Peak and Hidden Falls, on Jenny Lake.
Being inspired.
Watching the ferry.
Hiking back out to the car.
Dunanda Falls
I realized I'd have to get myself moving again, so I started walking in the mornings. It has been painful for me to walk for a couple years now, but I needed to be getting mobile again. So, when several of the neighborhood couples went for an overnight backpacking trip to Dunanda Falls, in the southwest corner of Yellowstone, Jann and I figured I could probably handle it.
It is an almost totally flat hike, unlike the big ups and downs of the Teton Crest, so much more doable.
Starting out at Bechler Ranger Station.
In Bechler Meadows.
Fording.
It was not deep or swift.
Daniel Dewey carrying Lindsey, who has colon cancer, across.
Dewey girls Carson and Quinn, bouncing on a log at our campsite.
After sleeping the night, we hiked the couple of miles to the falls.
Luke Richards, and Jack and me soaking in hot pools at the base of the falls.
Depending on where you were, it could be cool to quite hot.
Quinn, Lindsey, Kirsten Lake, and Jann.
The whole group.
Day two, before hiking out. Kirsten, Carson, Quinn, and Thomas Richards.
Lindsey Strong tee shirts.
I was able to keep up with the group for almost the whole way. For the last two miles I fell a bit behind, but I think I'm back to being able to hike some.
