Wraith Falls / Lost Lake

It's raining! We had one whole day of rain and then the winds turned back on the fires so they burned out for a change. We had to celebrate. That means getting out for a hike, why not we said?!

So we drove to a short 2 mile total walk into a pretty little falls called Wraith Falls. Alas, there are no pictures...it really was raining, ha!

Back to the car to warm back up and we chose something that is familiar, fairly close by and fun. Little did we know... This should have been our first hint this could be a challenge but nooo.



 This is an official buffalo jam. Cars were lined up in both directions. It started with a few and suddenly the whole herd decided to leave the hill and head down the street. 


Here is a 'red dog' so named for the red coat the babies have when first born for a few months. That's right, this is a baby.




These creatures are so amazing up close. They were on both sides of the truck and some of the males got a little frisky and started a mini stampede. Only fun to watch if they aren't headed your way!

This is an unusual shot of a female that was collared. Usually the lead female is chosen so this old gal must have been the leader at one time. This is done to track a herd in the park.



Roosevelt Lodge is closed for the season so we parked at the Petrified Tree area. The 3 areas listed are along this path. The lake level is down due to the dry summer. Stories are the moose like it here in the winter. I'm afraid we'll never be able to substantiate that fact!






This is the view of the lake and mountains beyond. I couldn't find the elevation but it is one that is higher up. You climb up from both directions to get to it.









So we're in a valley here. We've passed the lake, walked down and turned the corner at the Roosevelt Lodge, cabins and Ranger station (this is a loop) and have climbed back up on the front side.








And here's the view from the front of the loop. Another mile and we'll be at the end of this hike.









Oh wait...can you see the problem in front of me? He's large and black and walking on the path, the only path, back to our truck. To turn around here would be another 3 miles, not in our plans for the day.

At least the rain has stopped...





This is a male that is through with the herd for a few months and wandering around the area. We call them loners. He walked slowly down the path, stopped to eat and then walk some more. He wasn't concerned with us fortunately.

We gave him the proper distance. Do you see the truck by the people at the bottom of the hill? Yes, that's ours. Mr. Buffalo walked down the hill and kept going around the bend back toward the lake. So if we had turned around to retrace our steps, we would have run into him going the other way. Hmmm...

Miles hiked: 75