We got up early on Saturday morning. so we could exit camp Loll as quick as possible. We split into two groups and hiked both directions. Group 1 (Bridger, James, Skyler, Gage, John, and Clint) started at the Lone Star Geyser trailhead. Group 2 (Riley, Josh, Miles, Beck, Matt, Brian, and Jason) went to the Bechler ranger station.
Group 1 was able to get lunch and watch Old Faithful erupt before hitting the trail. The Lone Star geyser was erupting even as they arrived. We found a spring just before the fork to the Shoshone geyser basin where we filled bottles. Thru-hikers Freebird and Raven stopped and filled as well. Freebird was finishing his third triple crown. He recommended we look at this REI Article. The first day was a hard uphill 11 miles. The second day we slept in and recovered and soaked in Mr. Bubbles.
Group 2 left from camp to Ashton Idaho where they were able to meet up with Riley, Brian, and Jason. They got some good food and huckleberry shakes. before hitting the trail. The first day was pretty easy. They swam in the Bechler river and tried not to get eaten by mosquitoes. On day 2 they checked out the waterfalls and ate lots of berries off the trail.
The two groups met for the second night at the Albright Falls camp. Most visited Mr. Bubbles to have a nice soak. Even though Group 1 had already visited Mr. Bubbles Bridger and Gage went back for a second visit.
Group 2 got up early the next day and hiked all the way out, around 17 miles. They drove around and traded vehicles and went home.
Group 1 on the third day was able to enjoy the waterfalls and berries. Huckleberries and Whortle berries were in abundance. When we made it to the boulder fields there Salmon Berries, Raspberries were everywhere. Occasionally we saw black gooseberries. We also saw what may have been saskatoon berries or serviceberries, but we didn't eat them because we didn't know what they were at the time. We camped pretty near the entrance. The next day we slept in and did some fishing. We then hiked out and got hamburgers and huckleberry shakes in Ashton before driving home.
Aug 7th - Around 10:00 Arrive at Old Faithful
Meetup with Nick S and Boston S - Dayville Cafe?
Get Lunch, See Old Faithful, start Hiking
Trailhead OK1 Lone Star
This is a long day. 11.1 miles uphill to Douglas Knob
Plan to spend some time at Lone Star Geyser
08/07 9D3 (Douglas Knob Meadow)
A little over 5 miles to Albright Falls. We will actually pass Mr. Bubbles. It probably makes sense to stop and enjoy Mr. Bubbles on day 2 before going to our camp.
08/08 9B9 (Albright Falls)
It is about 9.5 miles downhill to lower boundary Creek.
08/09 9B1 (Lower Boundary Creek)
Sleep in, it is just 3 1/2 miles to Bechler Ranger Station, easy.
Trail exit 9K1 - Bechler Ranger Station
Have Lunch in Ashton.
Meetup with Group 2, swap vehicles and head home.
I suspect it could be after 8:00 before we get home.
Aug 7th - 5:30 AM Jason Q, Brian D, Riley M and Rebecca W depart SJ
Aug 7th - Around 9:30 Arrive at Ashton, ID
Meetup with Jason Q, Brian D, Riley, and Rebecca W. - Frostop Drive Inn?
Get Lunch. Joseph N returns to SJ with Rebecca
Go the Bechler Ranger Station and start hiking.
Trailhead 9K1 - Bechler Ranger Station
The first day is 5.8 miles to Bechler ford.
08/07 9B2 (Bechler Ford)
The second day is about 6 1/2 miles to Bechler Canyon Ford
08/08 9B8 (Upper Bechler Canyon Ford)
We will hand off keys on this section of trail. Don't pass the turnoff to Albright falls turnoff if you haven't handed off keys.
This day you pass Mr. Bubbles. The turnoff is a couple of miles past Upper Bechler Canyon Ford. This day is also about 6 miles.
08/09 9D3 (Douglas Knob Meadow)
Start Early, this is 11.1 downhill miles out.
Plan to spend some time at Lone Star Geyser
Trail exit OK1 Lone Star
Get lunch and see Old Faithful head to Ashton.
I Meetup with Group 1, swap vehicles and head home.
I suspect it could be after 8:00 before we get home.