John Colter Trail 1807 — 1808

Day 25: September 7th, 2005 Grant Village (Heart Lake)

Tonight was even night frost. You can tell, that you are already above 7000ft. Breakfast will be now at the Dining Room, because you need no reservations there for breakfast. Unfortunately there is only a buffet, which is in turn really good. The only downside is, that it is rather expensive. To avoid a horrible dinner like yesterday, I make a reservation here for tonight. The downside is, that you must make the reservation for a fixed time. Just to be sure being back from my hike, I ask for something at 8pm. But even at this time everything is already booked and the only free slot is around a quarter to nine, which I happily take.

After breakfast I walk back to the Visitor Center to buy a complete set of picture post cards. This costs me now $50, but in return I have some really great post cards of the area. Then I walk back to my room and gather all my stuff together for the day. Today I am not forced to pack my whole suitcase and I can just leave with a bag and all my camera equipment.

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

My destination of today is the hike to Heart Lake. Yesterday, I already watched out for the parking lot. So today, I can directly drive to the trailhead location. I put my stuff into the new backpack. Then I start my hike. But after 10 minutes I realize, that I forgot my sunscreen. Therefore I turn around and walk back to my car. I put the sunscreen on and then I start my hike for the second time.

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Now I meet someone from the Seattle area, who plans to backpack here just with a tent for two days. That is something, I also should have done. When I stop for some video taping we say good–bye and he hikes on. Then I am on my own again — until one of these volunteer rangers steps right into my video taping…

After taking these pictures I hike alternately between forests and glades. Suddenly I see two ears sticking out of the high prairie grass. First I assume it is some kind of deer, which is roaming around. But when I put down my camera for video taping I realize, what is just 50 yards away from me: A coyote!

When he sees me, he wants to flee. But because I stopped any movement immediately, he also stops and puts his attention back to all the ravens, who are extremely noisy. Carefully I put my camera into position and I am able to get some nice shots, before he disappears in the thicket. Unfortunately, there is not enough time for a picture.

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Then I hike on. Soon I reach an area, which has burned a while ago. Also the first hot springs appear along the trail. There are also many spots, where the soil is really warm or even hot. You can tell that there is nature force working beneath the soil. I have the chance to catch some nice videos and pictures of steaming springs and hot ponds.

While I am video taping one of these ponds, a long horse trail approaches me. I step to the side, that they can easily pass me. It seems like they will build up a camp for some tourists when looking at all the stuff these two are carrying with them. Everyone leads approximately 5 mules.

After the caravan has passed me, I hike on. The trail to Heart Lake takes way longer than expected. Lucky me, I have taken with me enough supplies and also plenty of water. That was not the worst idea, when looking at the temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees.

Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Around half past one I arrive at Heart Lake and also meet the caravan here again. It seems like they are Rangers, because they drop all the stuff at the Ranger Building. This is probably for the people working out here and who stay over night. At a nice and shady spot at the lake I do a brief lunch break. Then I start my hike back, after I have put on fresh sunscreen.

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Heart Lake Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY

But even with sunscreen I feel, how my skin is starting to tense. It seems like I catch a sun burn even with all my sun screen on. On my way back, I have once again the chance to video tape and take pictures from hot springs. Also my caravan is passing me again.

The ascent to the little pass is taking forever and I slowly start to feel, how my energy is drifting away. And it is still a very long hike back to my car. The last hour of hiking I really start to count the minutes. I really enjoy my little stops to video tape a squirrel or a bird. But after these brief stops, things are getting even worse. My thighs and calves are really aching.

Eventually I arrive at my car and I am so happy to sit down and relax for a short time. Then I change shoes and drive back to my motel. Completely wiped out, I drag myself to the room. Because I am still good in time, I have the chance to already check some of my video taping. After all I still have a lot of overhead to check from the days before…

Around half past eight I walk over to the Dining Room. There the people really have lined up for a table. But due to my reservation I receive a table within 5 minutes — and a lot of jealous views…

The dinner is great, but also not really cheap. And because the dinner is so great, I allow myself the luxury of having a good glass of wine for dinner — which is immediately redeemed by a check of $34 (including tip)…

Around a quarter to ten I walk back to my room and start to prepare a coffee. While drinking my coffee, I check the rest of all my video taping. Around midnight I am eventually able to go to bed. Completely exhausted, I immediately fall asleep…