Backcountry Update

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This past work week was full of excitement. I hiked into a new location, Heart Lake, where I stayed in another ranger patrol cabin. The only way in is an 8 mile hike, but it is a good one with nice views. I should tell you that this location has had a multiple bear "issues" in the last week, so I was extra excited (and careful) while headin in. The ranger cabin is very rustic and historic, located in a large meadow right by the lake, and in the shadow of the 10,305 ft. Mt. Sheridan. It is a very popular backcountry area, you will see why with the pics.

On my first day there, we loaded our materials into a canoe, and paddled to the far end of the lake, checking campsites along the way, to where we would be working for the day. Once at our location, we spent the majority of the day hanging up new bear poles (3). It gets easier or more comfortable each time. Anyway, by the time we paddled all the way back to the cabin the first day was done. That first day was also filled with wildlife siting. We saw numerous bald eagles, three otters, lots of snakes, a deer, and a very large bull moose. It was a great first day out.

On our second day, we got up early (as we did every morning) and patrolled a view campsites before starting our ascent of Mt. Sheridan. It was a 4 mile hike that climbs up 3000ft to the peak. It was very strenuous, but it was worth it.... what a view! We ate lunch up there and called folks bc its one of the few places where the phone works. After eating and enjoyin the view we headed back down. We finished the day with more patrolling of campsites and contacting visitors.

Day three we spent the morning digging a pit toilet (my first), hanging another new bear pole, and clearing around an old one. After lunch we patrolled more sites and contacted more visitors before headin back to the cabin and calling it a night.

My last day consisted of more patrolling, and a trip to the geyser basin.

Patrolling consitst of hiking to all the campsites in this backcountry area and checking their bear pole, fire rings, pit toilets, and overall condition (trash, animal evidence, etc). Everyday we covered 8 miles or more patrolling all the sites. We also try to contact as many visitors as possible, both in their sites and on the trail, to answer questions, inform them of bear and other news, and to bust them for doing stuff they shouldnt be. We also were constantly checking for signs of bear activity, which we found none of until this morning we found fresh bear tracks on the beach in front of the cabin. Each morning we were up by 6am, and asleep by 10pm. The ranger (and I) liked to get an early start for many reasons: its so beautiful in the mornings, we can do a lot of work before its too hot, and its easier to bust folks for campsite violations when you get there while they're sleeping! That's dirty isnt it? Oh well. Another thing I forgot to mention was that every day ended with a swim in the lake, and boy was it cool and refreshing. The swims were partly for refreshment, partly for cleanliness. One particular swim ended with the discovery of a leech attached to my leg. All subsequent swims were shorter than that one.

We also had a very exciting "incident". I'm not sure how specific I can be on details on the blog, but i'll give you the basics. The radio dispatcher occasionally comes over with a "BOLO" (be on look out). One night after we check in(we check in everyday in the BC at 7am and 7pm) a bolo is issued. This particular bolo was for a sex offender who had a warrant for his arrest. The dispatcher went on to say that he was reportedly in YNP on a backcountry trip and his itinerary had his party coming through Heart Lake. Needless to say my adrenaline got going. The ranger I usually work with comes over the radio immediately to report that he spoke with this person and his party member at the South Ranger station and his car was parked there. This got the wheels in motion and the head guy at south (also member of park swat team) begins calling the shots and getting everyone organized. They (swat) have a meeting at south to decide what to do. So me and the ranger at Heart Lake decide that we are going to get up extra early tom. to be ready in case we are needed for something. Well, we get up about 5:30, and are ready to roll, waiting to hear any news, when I hear the head ranger come over the radio and say "we've got one in custody". It was awesome! Less than 12hrs after the bolo they had this wacko. The swat team went out into the backcountry at 12am with night vision and hiked through the night and were waitin on the bastard when he woke up. How cool is that?!

Anyway, I had a great time and now I'm gonna try to relax for my next few days off. I've actually been off for the last 2 days, but my boss said I could stay out in the BC and continue working. I will be headed to town in the next day or so and will try to give yall a holler then.

PS- Rustic geyser is in the geyser basin near the cabin, and it goes off every 20mins or so, so we sat by it and had a snack until it went off. Cool huh?

BYE!