Daly Creek Trail

 In my Skywatch Friday post I mentioned that I did two new trails.  I already talked about Ousel Falls so now it's time to show you Daly Creek.


After leaving the green trees, lush grasses, and river at Ousel Falls I ventured south of Big Sky, Montana and into the section of Yellowstone that runs along highway 191 in Montana.  There are lots of trails in this area, but they don't get much use because they aren't within the gated area of Yellowstone where hoards of tourists hang out.


When you go on the highway 191 trails you can expect to be alone and it was no different on this day.  One other vehicle was in the parking lot and it has a back country permit displayed so I knew they were camping far out on the trail.  I was going to be on my own so I crossed my fingers, got the bear spray close by and started out.


The entire Daly Creek trail is 10.9 miles long with an elevation gain of about 1800 feet.  My goal was just to go a couple miles in and then come right back out.


I love the sagebrush fields that lead up to the mountains.  On a warm day this trail would not be recommended, but it was 72 degrees with a nice breeze so I was comfortable.


There's Daly Creek.


I saw this log crossing way in the distance and I thought my hike might end early if it didn't look stable.  But as I got closer I could see it was doable.  In the marshy areas I kept my head on a swivel in case a bear was there eating berries or a moose was enjoying the willows.  I didn't see either.


The wildflowers are almost gone now that autumn is upon us.  We've already had temps below freezing so the colors are changing and the wildflowers are done for the year, but this one is hanging on.


I made my way up the first hill and then made myself promise to turn around when it started going downhill again.  Didn't want to get too far out in the wilderness.  Isn't it beautiful?


The only wildlife I saw were grasshoppers and this caterpillar.  I picked him up off the trail and moved him into the grass.  Beautiful, isn't he?


Why do I love shots of meandering trails so much?  Yes, that is smoke in the air--no fires nearby though.


Interesting scat along the way.  Coyote perhaps?


Before long I was back at the water crossing.  Time to head home!



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