Day 6 - Mt. Washburn Hike
July 8. My brother suggested we go on a hike up Mt. Washburn. It's very close to Canyon, where we stayed, so it was an easy drive. Some of the family went hiking and the rest went to see Tower Falls and the Roosevelt area with the petrified trees. Those going to Tower Falls got to see a grizzly bear and a black bear at very close range. But those of us who went on the hike got to see this:
Bighorn sheep. A herd of them. At very close range. Very cool. (Though I am sad we didn't see a bear close up.)
And some marmots:
Strange creatures, marmots.
Mt. Washburn has a better view than any other hike I've done. Granted, I haven't done a TON of hikes, but I've done a few. And I'm not bagging on the view from Half Dome, or anywhere else. I'm just telling you that the view from Mt. Washburn is better. You can see for MILES in 360 degrees. They give you a diarama from the top, and it points out different landmarks. To the east: a peak 40 miles away. To the south, a jutting out of Yellowstone Lake, 29 miles (and you could see further still). Etc. AMAZING.
Me, Chad, and Kristina went back the way we came. About 3 miles one way. It was cold and windy and miserable on the way down, but the hike was SO worth it. Rob, my dad, and 2 of my brothers went down to Canyon, about a 6 mile hike down the other way. They said it was brutal and none of them would do it again. But they did see this gorgeous meadow:
And this amazing waterfall:
After finishing the hike I went back to the tent with Teancom and took a nap. Hurray for naps (and a non-grumpy Teancom)!
Highlight of the day: It was my dad's 62nd birthday. We sang him Happy Birthday while he ate his dinner.
My Dad, hiking down from Mt. Washburn:
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