3 Highlights:
1. Breakfast at Monument Mountain.
2. Lunch with classical music.
3. Finally getting a camp spot in West Yellowstone (washing detergent included 👍🏽).
Daily Summary:
– Distance hiked: 40 km
– Starting point: Below Monument Mountain
– Ending point: West Yellowstone
– Weather conditions: Hot
Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings):
The day began beautifully with a one-hour climb to Monument Mountain, where I enjoyed breakfast, complete with two boiled eggs. The hike along the ridgeline was picturesque, offering stunning skyline views. Lunch was a serene affair, accompanied by classical music.
I encountered ultra-runners and some daredevil motorbike riders navigating narrow switchbacks at high altitudes. Initially, I planned to camp before West Yellowstone to give myself ample time for chores like cleaning up, doing laundry, resupplying, recharging batteries, and reconnecting with friends and family.
However, the final stretch of the day involved a grueling walk in heavy traffic. After 6 km, I realized I couldn’t find a suitable camping spot away from the road on private land. Reaching a junction, I put out my thumb and was picked up by Youngblood, a bull rider with a torn groin among other injuries. He, along with a girl and a boy in the car, drove me to West Yellowstone.
Arriving around 6 PM, I felt the time crunch and stress mounting. The place I initially planned to stay was full, and alternatives seemed too far away. Fortunately, a friendly Chinese man at a previously visited spot offered me a $60 tent site, complete with a shower and some laundry detergent.
I busied myself with back-flushing my water filter and trying to understand the permit system for Yellowstone National Park. Afterward, I enjoyed a nice salad, although a minor payment issue added a bit of stress. Despite the challenges, I ended the day feeling calm, thanks to my CDT coach, Thomas, who reassured me about finding permits. He’s now on his own hike on the High Coast Trail in Sweden, evoking beautiful memories.
The views today were spectacular, with 360-degree vistas of peaks and verdant, pine-dotted grassy mountains—a truly remarkable day on the trail.
Green views and beautiful peaks
On the road to West Yellowstone
My camp spot in West Yellowstone