Hiking, and bathing in boiling river in Yellowstone

Had a second long hike of this trip. The tightness in my legs after the strenuous hike in Yosemite on Sunday disappeared totally on Thursday - so planned to do another strenuous hike today.

After vacillating between two of the many trails in Yellowstone, I decided to do the Bunsen peak & Osprey Falls trail; the clinching factors being the chance to hike up a dormant volcano and seeing the less visited Osprey Falls.

The hike was wonderful despite - or because of - not seeing any wild animals on the way. Was wary of bears and to a lesser extent mountain lions during the entire hike; always making some noise (humming a song or talking to myself or just plain gibberish) to ensure I don't surprise any wild animals around the corner.

Bunsen Peak - named after the scientist who did extensive research into the workings of Geysers, but is more famous for inventing the Lab burner - turned out to be a easier climb than in Yosemite. It took me almost two hours to climb up the two miles as I went about it very leisurely - stopping to finish some postcards on the way under the shade of a tree and enjoying the sight of the beautiful valley below.

Met a Virginian Water Purification Operator on the peak. He was hiking in the reverse direction. Had a nice conversation with him on many topics before both of us went on our ways.

The climb down the Bunsen Peak on the eastern side was long and easy. Took the Osprey Falls trail at the bottom of the mountain and started to worry about the return journey after seeing the steep one mile climb down the canyon losing around 800 feet altitude. The Osprey
Falls - which shows itself to the visitor only at the very end of the hike - was wonderful and made the trip very much worth it!

Spent some time rock-hopping (and occasionally struggling through the rapids) and crossing the Gardiner river from end to end.

The hike up the canyon was not as bad as I imagined. Finished it in good time. Got back to Mammoth Junction after covering around 10 miles in 9 hours, and feeling great about myself!

Stopped at the boiling river on the way back and relaxed in a nature-made jacuzzi (combination of waters from a river and a geyser); the 15+ minutes in the river did wonders at banishing my exhaustion.

Too bad we have to leave Yellowstone tomorrow. I will in all probability visit Yellowstone next time in Winter to ski along the long maintained trails in the Park, and watch the wildlife (minus the hibernating Bears and Grizzlies) and the Hydrothermal features against the beautiful snowy background!