Chapter 7: Specimen Ridge

Next was off to Yellowstone, for the 19 mile Specimen Ridge Trail. Since this trail is not a loop, we figured we'd park at the trailhead, then hitch a ride to the other trailhead, camp for the night about 3 miles down Lamar Valley, and tackle it in the morning. So it would be about 22 miles of hiking but 19 of that was in one day.

We borrowed some bear spray which was good to have since we elected to camp in a "high Grizzly activity" zone. Confidence in a can!

A friendly family gave us a lift in their pickup and we stopped along the way to view the magnificent North American Bison. 

 Then we hiked the 3 miles to camp not a moment too soon before it got dark. Then just four good measure we got a roaring fire going to bolster our sense of safety from the wild beasts.

As we began our trek from the camp, we found the area rank with predator signs: bear scat, wolf tracks and scat everywhere, and even this chunk of an elk's head that still had a bit of meat on it. The Lamar Valley is the heart of predator action!

We forded the river Isen toward the plains of ROHAN!

Then from afar we spotted Beorn walking straight our way.

This briefly summarizes our encounter.

According to a ranger we talked to, he was a 550 pounder named "Scarface", 21 years old. I would have totally peppersprayed his face.

If not, Dom would have sliced him with his Elvish knife. The lands ahead had been withered by the evil of Mordor so we ventured on with caution.

Spies of Saruman! Black Rosy finches hiding amongst a flock of Gray-crowned. Can you find the Blacks?

In the plains of Rohan we unleashed our full glory. Had we met a company of passing Rohirrim and borrowed a couple of steeds, we would have covered many leagues indeed!

But still the beacons of Gondor had not been lit.

There is always hope.