CDT # 9 Pinedale WY to Brooks Lake Lodge to Old Faithful Village WY to West Yellowstone MT

On leaving Pinedale we climbed gently up around rocks and lakes with mountains in the distance. The setting was stunning!

 The glacier fed Green river is similar in colour to the Kicking Horse and Athabasca rivers back home in BC.

As we leave the last of the Wind Mountain range behind it clouds up and rains with a dash of hail.

Jobie peeking out from the cabin we hung out in while it stormed.

The terrain turns to grasslands again with wild roaming cows who stare at us with their wet noses and sandhill cranes that holler raucously at dawn and dusk.

We picked up a resupply box enroute at Brooks Lake Lodge. This historic getaway has wooden buildings kept up beautifully since 1922. They cater to those interested in a classic Wyoming horse riding adventure.

The Lodge’s horses create a romantic western image when they are let out to roam each evening. Wearing their heavy bells around their necks they keenly cling-clang as they go.

We always know when horses are about as the muddy sections get muddier and their fragrant poops are everywhere, but to our benefit our shared path is cleared and well defined.

We have been crossing paths with lots of southbounders on the trail throughout Wyoming. We northbound hikers have covered more of the trail at this point and I have to say they look somewhat bedraggled yet they still have to do Colorado!! Astonishingly we met up with Italian hikers that we met on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022! Good karma? We were both so glad to happen upon each other. They have stuck in our minds ever since for their bright energy. (Funny how Jobie looks like a giant here!)

As we entered Yellowstone Park we came across this patrol cabin. After a 3 hour deluge that day we decided to use the porch as a dry refuge.

And what do you know, but we came upon another unoccupied ranger cabin at Heart Lake. We set up under the porch just in time for the next thunder storm!

This hiking section led us through Yellowstone National Park where observing wildlife in an intact ecosystem, and exploring geothermal areas that contain active geysers, are the main events. Look at what we found?!!

This spectacular mountain lion (cougar) was crossing a creek beside the trail. It was in a vulnerable situation trying to keep its paws dry. At one point it was balancing all 4 legs on one rock as it glared at us. We were in each others presence for several minutes. Its tail goes on forever! This sighting was a huge deal for us humans!!

This here is a HUGE grizzly print of its back foot. Fortunately it passed along the trail before we did! Later that day we did spot a black bear on the far sloping bank of the Snake river. They move so smoothly in their terrain.

Another moose right beside the trail filled with awkward grace.

Witch Creek right on the trail. Heated naturally to 104 degrees.

What a luxury in the early morning mist! This warmed up our limbs for the day.

As we encountered various geothermal creations I found their colours bewitchingly attractive at the same time that their boiling heat terrified me. I admire their beauty through photos more comfortably.

Old Faithful geyser before it shoots off.

Old Faithful geyser at full height from the balcony of historic Old Faithful Inn

Intricate wooden structure of the many levels inside the Inn. Harry Potter was here!

In Yellowstone Park they do highlight the highlights…hiking is NOT one of them in our opinion. There was a massive wildfire in 1988 which destroyed the old trees. The forest now consists of healthy uniformly aged (30 something yrs). They are growing densely all along the mostly flatland trail. Hiking several 20+ mile days of this lacks inspiring views. Very few, other than CDT hikers, are on trail.

Easy walking, yes, but give me something to look at please!

Shoshone Lake was a perfecrly clear, cool break from monotony! And a best swimming hole.

This park crosses Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in its NW corner. We will be weaving our way out of WY and into ID and MT. We have now hiked 1650 miles with only some 900 miles left?! We are hoping the warmer weather lingers for us!