Cave Falls, Mesa Falls Scenic Drive

The small fall right after Cave Falls.

The first hike of this blog took place on Columbus Day last year, and was a waterfall hike in Yellowstone. This year we decided to shoot for something a bit more off the beaten path, and settled on the Bechler area of Yellowstone. To get to Bechler Ranger Station from Jackson you head over Teton Pass, through Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, then take the right hand turn towards Ashton, Id. Follow the signs to Cave Springs Road, past the golf course and some homes, though it seems impossible that Yellowstone's border is just mere miles from all these homes, alas it is true. First you will come to the Targhee National Forest and the instantaneous change is amazing. From the plowed and naked fields of the farmers to the pines and aspens pushing against their boundary line the changes is awe inspiring. Follow this road to the Bechler Ranger Station or on to the Cave Springs parking areas. We parked by the little waterfall just down the creek from Cave Falls.

Cave Falls

Cave Falls

We started on the trail that took us to the bank of Fall Creek at the base of Cave Falls, then up and around to the Cave Falls overlook. After a few good looks at the waterfall we checked out the trailhead sign and decided to take the Bechler Creek trail versus the Cave Falls Loop that wound around to the Ranger Station and Followed the road back to the car. I have a delightful app on my phone that tracks your pace as well as distance on a hike so we didn't need a set stopping point this time.

The Cave which Cave Falls is named for you can see here to the left of Jack.

Bechler Creek Trail.

 The trail was a bit damp and edged by snow. But all in all clear enough to hike on so away we went. The trail follows along the creek at a smooth and level pace. The creek itself is speckled with small unnamed falls on the way to Bechler Falls and the Confluence of the Bechler and Falls Creeks. As you head further up creek past the confluence the creek mellows out. Mostly the trail was free of snow, though in a few shady spots it had yet to melt. There were also segments that had thin sheets of crystal like ice that we jumped over, skipped around our generally tried to leave undisturbed, as some hid small puddles beneath them.

Unnamed Mini-Fall.

Bechler and Fall Creek Confluence.

Bechler Fall

Bechler Fall

Bechler Creek

 After hiking in for 3 miles the trail became more snow than trail and we had hit our turning around point. We came prepared for a fall hike, however we wore hiking shoes not snow boots, so alas we could not continue. We stopped by the creek and had a snack and some water and then headed back to the car. We brought lunch, but since it was only 10:30 it was a bit early for it. On the way back Kevin started a snowball fight and we all had fun running through the forest trying to stay out of his reach, to little avail. 

Lower Mesa Falls

Dillons at the Lower Mesa Falls Overlook.

Upper Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls.

We returned to the car a little before noon and had our 'picnic' in the car on the way to our next Adventure. As the road to Cave Falls is part of the Scenic Loop for Upper and Lower Mesa Falls we decided we might as well finish the loop and see some more falls. Lower Mesa Falls is a beautiful fall that you can only see from a vantage point about a mile away. Still worth the stop, never a more scenic place to stop and use the bathroom. Upper Mesa Falls has a beautiful walkway that leads right up against the falls, which is magnificent.  The scenic loop ends in Island Park, Id which boasts the longest main street in the world. Total Hiking time 3 hours, distance covered 6 miles and all before lunch! Until next time, be safe, be prepared.

One Year and a Giveaway

October 12th is the one year anniversary of The Hole Tourist! To celebrate I have decided to give away a NATIONAL PARK PASS! So one of my loyal followers will have the opportunity to get out and explore America's very best idea. To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on your favorite post with why you liked that hike, and what National Park you would like to see most if you won. The giveaway will run through the month of October and I will select the winning entry on November 1st 2011, by commenting on the winning post! Good Luck and Please spread the love around after-all this is a shameless self promotion :)  Fell free to enter more than once, but please limit to ten entries per person. I will pick the answer I find to be most in theme with the purpose of this blog. Check the bottom of the page for a link to the National Park Service website!

Yellowstone Fall 2011

The Morning Elk 

On October 1st we went to Yellowstone for our end of seasons trip. We started the day before the sun came up and both the girls commented at the millions of stars as we tucked them away in the car before the sun rose. We left Jackson at 5:30 and made it nearly to Moran before the sun peaked over Sleeping Indian.  It was amazing to see the sunrise from the northern side of GTNP, where we heard the bugles of Elk in the distance and even had a misty morning show of two bull elk snorting out of the woods. The first black Elk I have ever seen as well.

Shortly before 9 we started out on our first hike of the day, the Natural Bridge hike by the Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Its a three mile loop trail however a section of the trail was closed due to bear activity, So for us it was approximately 2 miles. We started from the trail head in the parking lot, a dirt trail that winds through the campground before twisting around the marine and towards the stem of the Natural Bridge Trail

On the Natural Bridge Trail

the path to the natural Bridges is partially pave and partially gravel and a very easy trail. The kids sprinted to the Bridge and up the switchbacks before we took a side path into the mouth of the Bridge. There is an interpretive board at the base of the Natural Bridge that compares the span of Landscape arch to to Yellowstone Natural Bridge. An Interesting comparison but the Beauty of this Arch is unique to its location.  Arches has a delicate soft feel, this arch was rugged and gritty and perfectly unique to Yellowstone. The 'highlight' of this short hike was when a buffalo snuck out of the woods behind ME! while we were taking photos by the Marina. Everyone was amazing, the kids instantly and calmly moved behind the tree they were posing on and Kevin was prepped and ready with Bear Spray in case the beast decided we were unpleasant company. However he barley gave us a passing glance as he snorted and grumbled on his way. We finished out the Marina by exploring the docks and pier where we spotted ducks and fish!

Natural Bridge

For the inside perspective

We have a thing for Trees.

Sneaky beast!!

It was by far the most terrifying moment on a hike for me. 

And he leaves us in peace. 

The second and more difficult hike of the day was supposed to be the Lost Lake Loop behind Roosevelt Lodge, but when we arrived at the trail head there was a notice of trail closure due to "Dangerous Bear Activity" so we spun on our heels and headed back to the car for a regrouping and a new plan. We decided to finish the upper loop and headed over to Mammoth to complete the Beaver Loop Trail.

The Beaver Loop Trail starts between the Stone House and the Mammoth Terrace Boardwalk with a  0.7 mile climb up steep switchbacks before leveling out and eventually tapering down hill. It winds through open meadows and pine Forests, occasionally passing aspen stands, Until emerging on to a series of beaver ponds and dams. This hike was an array of seasons on display, the meadows were dry bristling grasses swaying in a summer breeze, while the pockets of pines hid the moist squishy dirt of Spring. And the Aspens painted with the brilliant and fleeting beauty of Autumn. This hike was moderately difficult for the kids.  With a total round trip of 5 miles and weaving up and down the sides of the mountains at the beginning and end of the hike it pushed them all harder than they have ever been pushed. THEY ALL FINISHED with NO RIDES!! Be it we took nearly one hour of rest for lunch, but they did it on their own little feet. The Hike took about 3 1/2 hours not including lunch> So amazed and proud of my little hikers!
 

Ahh the Beauty of Nature's Architects. 

Lunch Break!

First Beaver Pond (it was a bit bright with the sun behind me.

Well Hello Fall!

Pausing for reflection on the Wonders of Yellowstone.

How Awesome of a girl is she!!!