Saturday Afternoon - July 15, 2006

After looking through pictures in the motel room we had a late lunch at the Mobil station before meeting everyone for our last hike at 4pm. We once again drove into the park, this time parking just past the East entrance gate. This hike definitely had the most vertical climb, about 600 feet, and it started at 10,000 feet. Michael set a slow pace and stopped at regular intervals, so we all made it without too much trouble.

On the way down the far side we hung out at the back of the group for a moment and Rick put on a "mosquito hat" that we had picked up at lunch time. We caught up with the group and everyone laughed really hard at Rick's new fashion statement. Yvonka even made an appearance. Then Will and Hugh took turns with the hat, it seems everyone want's to be Yvonka!

  • Yvonka on Safari
  • Marmot readying for an Yvonka
    • Photos around Gaylor Lake

    We moved to a nearby lake which stretched towards the horizon, giving it an "infinity pool" look. Michael indicated that there would be some great pictures there at sunset. Then Will, Paul, Michael and Randy walked a bit towards a stream at the edge of the meadow. It was very peaceful with the sound of running water. Then the breeze died down a bit and the mosquitos arose! They were everywhere in big clouds. We all ran back to the other lake and found that they were all around! When the breeze picked up, or if we stood very near the ice and snow, then they subsided. Joss even used the mosquito hat that we had gotten as a joke; little did we know at the time!

    • Will does the "Marmot Sign"
    • Hugh!
    • Those are mosquitos!

    As sunset began we all noticed that the small pond with ice and snow on it began to take on amazing copper colors. We all snapped away with the cameras. After about half an hour, however, the mosquitos were really becoming unbearable. Randy led a "rebellion" and led a group back to the trail we had come down on. About three quarters of the group, including Hugh, joined in for the walk back to the cars. As long as we kept moving the mosquitos didn't bother us. We made it back to the cars just at the point where we would have needed flashlights.

    • Marmot!

        Back at the hotel we decided to walk down the street a bit to Bodie Mike's for a drink, then off to bed.