Bechler River, Yellowstone, August 2013

Add Lonestar Trailhead near Old Faithful: Dave, Penn, me, Alex.

 Dave Sumner and I have been meeting for an annual summer backpack for years now. Our first trip was back in 2000 and we've only missed a couple of years since. 

Night 1 camp along the upper Firehole River.

This year was the first in which we brought along any of our kids: our two oldest, Alex (16 years) and Penn (19 years). I chose the Bechler River in Yellowstone because it is lauded as a classic backpack, and at 30 miles over 5 days, with a net elevation loss and short walks on days 1 and 5, it was accessible for our group. 

Alex night 1. 

The way to do the trip is from Old Faithful, heading south toward and beyond Shoshone Lake, along the Bechler River to the Bechler Ranger Station in the southwest corner of the park. The shuttle is a bit brutal at 2.5 hours one way -- we dropped a car at Bechler. 

Upper Firehole with barely visible Sandhill Cranes flying away in the middle of the picture.

We got a late start from the trailhead at Lonestar. Our site for the first night was on the upper Firehole River, where it's only a small stream. Alex fly fished for the first time, catching a couple of small brookies.

Shoshone Lake

The next day we hiked up and over the Continental Divide, but took a side trip to Shoshone Lake and the Shoshone Geyser Basin. From there it was a few miles to our second night's camp at 8500 feet, in a sparse meadow.

Shoshone Geyser Basin: the fellas swimming with a boiling pot in the foreground.

Dave and Penn, night 2.

At our second night's camp, we met a group of 19 year old fellas, most of whom were pretty ill-prepared: two had forgotten sleeping pads and one of those also forgot a sleeping bag. And they were laden down with military MREs one of their dads had stored in the garage and an emergency surgery kit. We had some good laughs about their experience around their campfire.

Three fellas having an adventure.

The next day we joined the Bechler and lost steady elevation. At the halfway point, we side tripped up to Mr. Bubbles, a large and awesome back country hotspring.

Alex and Penn soaking in Mr. Bubbles.

On our way to our night 3 camp, there was a good swim spot along the Bechler.  

That's me in the Bechler just below Mr. Bubbles.

That night, near camp, we all fished and did well catching a bunch of cutthroat trout. Alex's fly fishing technique improved quickly.

Alex fishing at the night 3 sight, Bechler River.

On the fourth day, the highlights were: the waterfalls,

Colonade Falls

 the berries (huckleberries, wild raspberries, and thimble berries),

Alex picking thimble berries.

several river fords, this one the most beautiful with a great swimming hole, heading into Bechler Meadows, 

Ford heading into Bechler Meadows.

Bechler Meadows itself, with views of the Tetons,

Bechler Meadows with the Tetons in the background (the Grand just visible).

and the last night's awesome camp, with good fishing.

Last nights camp spot, lower Bechler. There was good fishing for rainbows here. 

 The last day was an easy walk (3.5 level miles) to Bechler Ranger Station.

The crew at the end of the trip.

The trip was one of our best, for sure. The country was awesome and it was great to have our boys (the next generation) along.