Two Days at Baker's Hole

Day 84 Tuesday September 6, 2016        Gallatin National Forest, Bakers Hole Campground, site 32

69 miles towing

It rained yesterday most of the day.  The awning had a puddle of water on it that froze overnight, unbeknownst to me.  Went I tried to roll it up this morning, the ice was crunching up and getting rolled up, making crunching noises.  I unrolled it and had to break up the ice and knock it off.  It was clear skies and 37^o this morning. 

Ran into Gardiner at 08:00 to get Marsha her peppered Montana vodka.  Got her brother a bottle of Montana bourbon whiskey, too.  Came back to the campground and hooked up.  Left at 09:00. 

On the way to Madison Junction, Marsha took pictures of Mammoth and the fog we encountered on the way.

Our friend, the campground bull elk.  This is the last elk picture

of the trip.  He was laying by the campground road as we were leaving.

The building on the right is the restaurant for the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

Mammoth Hot Springs.

Mammoth Hot Springs.

Back side of Mammoth Hot Springs.

My mountain, Bunsen Peak, as we head south out of Mammoth.

I lied about the bull being the last elk of the trip.  We saw this
doe elk crossing the road on the way out of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Fred Flinstone rocks.

I took pictures of these mountains from Bunsen Peak.  They have some snow on them from last night.

Entering the fog.

Pretty fog through the trees.

More pretty fog through the trees.

No caption necessary.  Fog in trees.

Went to Madison campground to use their dump station and fill the fresh water tank.  Continued on to Bakers Hole campground, arriving at 10:00, and set up in site 32.  After setting up, went into West Yellowstone to have some lunch at the Timberline Restaurant.

Went to Bud Lillie's fly shop to buy some soft hackle flies and then Madison River Outfitters for flies and a fly fishing shirt.  They have good sales this time of year.  Marsha went to her quilt shop and picked up some needles that she likes. 

Went fishing using the soft hackle technique I learned on the last day I was here last year.  Got three strikes but no hook-ups.  Fished 14:30 to 16:30. 

Made steak and baked potatoes.  I Didn’t screw it up, though, like last time.  Was able to have an evening fire.  There is no fire ban at Bakers Hole.

Gallatin National Forest, Bakers Hole Campground,

Day 85 Tuesday September 7, 2016        Gallatin National Forest, Bakers Hole Campground, site 32

Last day of official camping.  Will start home tomorrow.   L    We will be stopping in Bozeman for groceries, breakfast, and old times sake. 

Not as cold this morning as yesterday.  40^o here and 37^o in West Yellowstone.  Was able to post Mammoth day 5 this morning waiting for coffee.  Made a fire this morning.  Also made my grilled bacon, cheese, and egg sandwiches for breakfast.

Went fishing on the Madison River at Bakers Hole.  Followed it up quite a ways and fished it back down to the campground.  Tried soft hackles and nymphs.  No strikes at all.  Caught a little resident brown trout, but that’s not what I’m after.  I think it’s a bit too early in the season for the Hebgen Lake spawners.  The fly shop said probably another week or two.  Last year I was here about that time and had better luck.  I met an older couple from Wisconsin who were catching fish, but it was the small ones.

While I was fishing, Marsha went into town to do laundry.  When I got back, I took and Oliver shower and we sat out for a while.

Went to West Yellowstone for some items and some ice.  Then we participated in another annual tradition, pizza at the Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon.  Drank some Sweetgrass IPA, and Marsha had Salmon Fly Honey Rye. 

Sat out for a while after we got back.  Then we connected the trailer to the truck so we could get an early start tomorrow.

Sorry.  No pictures were taken today.  It’s our last day.  Maybe we were sad.