7/6/24
Opal-
A bit ago we went on a ten-mile hike into Hayden Valley and as the title reveals did not see wolves like we aimed to. To start the hike we immediately had to skirt a herd of bison. After finishing this task we walked off trail a bit to the top of a hill hoping to see a wolf we had heard was in the valley that morning. There was none. So we continued on for about three miles passing a couple of hikers who reported they had seen bears further up the trail but no wolves. After a little while longer we decided to eat lunch on a hilltop with a good view of the valley. Still no wolves. We ventured off the trail on our way back taking a different route to the top of another hilltop. Oliver kept pausing and asking for the binoculars, each time I was filled with hope, but each time it was just a bison or a log. We arrived at the bottom of the valley and to the creek that flowed through it. Here we looked for a way to cross and found a very large leech, a hot spring, and a bison skull. Then I made a fatal mistake. I decided that I was an Olympic long jumper and leaped across the creek only to find myself knee-deep in water. After climbing out, re-adjusting my depth perception, and realizing my lack of jumping ability, Oliver crossed the creek in a much smoother and dryer manner. Eventually, we got to the top of the next ridge. No wolves. However, there was a fox, bison, and more bison. We walked a bit down the hill and came upon a fox carcass that looked like it had been recently killed. The earlier fox was presumably one of its relatives. As we traveled back down the valley we came across many animal trails, more bison, and a few ponds. When we could see the car again we were forced once more to cross through a herd of bison. This time in much closer proximity and with them staring into our very souls. It was a bit intimidating, but we made it back unscathed except for my wet pants and feet.
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