YELLOWSTONE
July 21, 2005
The Specimen Ridge Trail

At least it's not another bear!
Uinta Ground Squirrels were all over the lower part of the trail

This doesn't look so bad...
It will typically be hottest on the days you plan hikes. This was no exception (no clouds either).

Quick! Where's my Claritin!!
These large golden puff-balls were all over the place.
When the wind blows, dozens of little helicopters take off.

We later learned that the trail was categorized as "inhuman".
The trail is literally up-hill the whole way. Steeply too I might add.
At least the view is nice, if you still have your vision.

That's a rock pretending to be wood.
Soon we were finding petrified wood chunks.

I'd hate to see the termites responsible for this!
And soon after that, we were seeing logs...

That's a whole lotta pertification!
And whole tree trunks!

I really NEED that CLARITIN!!
But, the trail continues with the promise of even better finds...

That's one ugly chicken!
Through a small patch of forrest we happenend upon a BLUE GROUSE. Lovely plumage...

Aaahhhggg! Angry Chicken!!
When defensive, it makes 5 to 7 very low pitched whooot...whooot sounds.

Those cars sure look tiny from up here.
At last we made it to the upright trees, that big one was a redwood.

Yeah, it's a little steep here
A view from below, notice the roots too. These two trees are each about 9 feet tall.

Can we pleeeeeease have lunch now?
Lots of logs but the area was so steep and treacherous, we could only get to a few.

Don't let the ranger catch you sitting on there!
Gaah! where'd he come from?

Geologists..... go figure.
Much to someones delight, a layer of obsidian was observed at the base of the flow.
The lichen is likin' it there.

Whatever you do, don't look them in the eye!
Back down the trail to the car, squirrels still busy eating the wheat grass.

-CONTINUED-