Bunsen Peak...old and new

This hike is one we do to acclimate to the elevation. Kathy decided to join us this time. We've always gone up the front and down the same way but had been told that going down the back side was beautiful so we decided to branch out this time.

Wildlife was in abundance if you count the little guys...1 lb or less. Here is a pretty, plump grouse that was weaving through the brush by the path.











And this little ground squirrel was daring us to pick and eat one of his berries. We did eat the berries on several of our hikes but not in front of him. They are wild raspberries, just as tasty and yes, we left some for the animals.









This is looking back NW to Mammoth Hot Springs. You can see how the smoke from fires outside the park has clouded the air. Most of August has been like this.








We made it to the top and sat down for lunch. This sign says Bunsen Peak, Elevation 8564'











By now the temperature has gotten up to 80+ so we are wrapping jackets around us and stuffing extra clothing in packs.












 This ground squirrel has most definitely been fed by well meaning individuals. It is fat enough to make it through the winter. He wound up on Kathy's pant leg but we didn't feed him.





Down the back side of the mountain we go. This type of rock is called 'scree.' I don't know the origin of the name but it must mean 'small rocks that can make you easily fall so be careful to pick your way slowly down through them.' Actually, the back side of the mountain had much more scree than the front ever has. Not a favorite so far.







Below is the Gardiner River. Osprey Falls trailhead starts at the end of the mountain trail. See last year's post for more on OF. That's one I won't be doing again!









As we got out of the scree, we went into the new forests. This is as high as any of the new trees growing that we've seen since the 1988 fires. Seasons for growing are so short and winters so tough that they take a long time to come up.








We are almost down to the road that will lead us another mile back to the car. Still pretty views as we walk.









And this is the last of the wildlife...ducks on the pond.

Even though this was a 7 mile hike, it seemed like 15, ha! We will stick to the front side up and down from now on.