MTgirl's build and adventure log

[YJIANG]

Where abouts is that in the park?

I went through that trail in midnight... and driving a sedan. GPS showed it as a shorter route so I went, didn't expect that kind of condition but it was big fun!

Oops I should have quoted [MENTION=118909]MTgirl[/MENTION] also.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

UPDATE!
The smoke is currently gone - just a slight haze coming from CA and ID now and then. But there is a big fire in the park - the Spruce Fire. The smoke plume was HUGE this last weekend and the fire blew up from like 100 acres Friday morning to over 2000 Saturday evening! The winds kept it heading east so the majority of the park was smoke free.
Road construction is still going strong - the crews are frantically trying to finish up paving and whatnot between Norris and Mammoth - so be prepared to wait for that.
The elk and buffalo have "babysitters" now to watch and make sure no one gets too close. Literally they have park employees following these poor animals around so the visitors stay at a safe distance....so sad.
And traffic was still a PITA this last weekend - hopefully it will continue to calm down before your trip. I was stuck in an elk jam Saturday night for about an hour. Only got 4 miles in an hour all so people could take pictures of the elk IN THE DARK!!!! I was about maxed out in my road rage-iness. Thankfully a Ranger showed up and got people moving along.

Thanks for the update.

I've been watching the real time pics from others on the web from this week were looking pretty clear. We'll enjoy it no matter what. I expect it to be crowded. It always has been and I've been going since well before the '88 fire. We have a trick though. We're out and about at day light every day. It's amazing how long it takes everyone else to get up and around.

I think the worst animal jam we were even in was a Bison jam just inside the West entrance. We were coming back from Jasper, Alberta, Canada. After 4 hours, a ranger helped move people through. We have lots of Bison in OK, so seeing them was not a big deal for us, but some of the people thought they were pink unicorns or something.

This is a dangerous time with the rut and people are so clueless. We've seen some pretty lucky fools do some really dumb things over the years. I've got my geyser times and aurora apps ready to go. :tongue:

PS, I have a web tracker that's watching for updates to this page every 15 minutes. InciWeb the Incident Information System: Spruce Fire

 

[MTgirl]

Very disappointing....didn't even need 4x4 :yawn:

 

[MTgirl]

From a couple weeks ago....

 

[JDMcQ]

From a couple weeks ago....

Great pictures Lisa!

 

[MTgirl]

Runner is topless :moping: Pulled the tent off earlier this week, camping season is over. At least now I can park in the garage again - no more sweeping snow and scrapig ice off in the mornings!

 

[MeefZah]

I recognize your name and photo skilz from TW. Sub'd.

Beautiful shots.

 

[MTgirl]

Great pictures Lisa!

Why thank you Mr. McQ

I recognize your name and photo skilz from TW. Sub'd.

Beautiful shots.

Thanks - you don't do too bad yourself! Good to see another TW'er over here too.

Checked out your smugmug - where in MT have you been? If you ever come back out here - in the Runner or on the bikes - I'm sure I could suggest some great rides for you to check out!

 

[bane]

Yeah, truck looks great and nice pictures. I think classic silver is the most under rated color and I think its the best looking color with all the chrome in place.

 

[MeefZah]

Why thank you Mr. McQ


Thanks - you don't do too bad yourself! Good to see another TW'er over here too.

Checked out your smugmug - where in MT have you been? If you ever come back out here - in the Runner or on the bikes - I'm sure I could suggest some great rides for you to check out!

Oh thanks. :blush

I've been all through Montana, or at least the "touristy" spots, on a few different motorcycle and 1 4WD trip. My favorite place is the Bighorn Mountains, just incredible solitude, scenery, and peacefulness. I sure would love to get out there for a longer time and explore some real off the beaten path stuff.

 

[MTgirl]

Picked up a new rooftop accessory today!

 

[MTgirl]

Spent a few days down in Jackson, WY and Grand Teton Park. Hoped to do some snowshoeing but it was too cold so I settled for driving around in Runner with the heater running full blast! Roads were pretty scary, lots of packed icy patches, but I didn't have any problems. Runner handled everything great...all 700 miles of it.


Also traded Runner in for some 2-horse power transportation and took the sleigh ride through the elk refuge just north of Jackson. It was cold and bumpy and noisy but I got some good shots of the bulls so it was worth it.

 

[MTgirl]

It's Runner's birthday! Can't believe I've had him for a year already.
And this showed up today too.

 

[GSPRunner]

the site just always shrinks them down...plus everytime I upload a photo or two it takes so long I swear I've crashed the server. I don't want to be responsible for the death of t4r!

thanks!

is this better?



also hiked that mountain behind Runner....gained 2000 ft in elevation in 2 miles of trail. 9665 ft at the top!

Looks like Black Butte? PMd you on TW. Starting to think about Montana this summer.

 

[Mizzac]

:spy:

 

[HomerTaco]

Logged in just to post in this thread.

:frisky:

:guitar3:

:jump:

 

[MTgirl]

Looks like Black Butte? PMd you on TW. Starting to think about Montana this summer.

Yup, first one is near black butte in the gravellies and the other two are near fairy lake in the bridgers outside of Bozeman.

Keep in touch through the summer. Not sure how much exploring I'll be doing outside of the weekends though (might be starting a new job = no vacation days for me)

:spy:

Hiya Mac!

:frisky:

Homie!

 

[Mizzac]

So you thinking of a mini montana meet again?