#yellowstone #yellowstonenationalpark #nationalpark
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There you'll find book-length trip reports of most of my trips as well as gear reviews, trail stories, and travel information on memorable lodging, restaurants, and attractions I've experienced.

In late June 2023 I continued the hiking season with (only) my second hike, but it was to a special destination - Yellowstone National Park. I joined up with my son, Christian, and Travis to do a long-anticipated hike in the Black Canyon area of Yellowstone along the Wyoming-Montana state line.

After two wonderful pre-hike 'staging' nights at the Absaroka Mountain Lodge near Cody, Wyoming, and a repeat visit to the magnificent Madison (car) campground inside Yellowstone NP, we did a 3-day, 20-mile Black Canyon hike starting at the Hellroaring Canyon trailhead. It wasn't what I expected going in. I had images of a Grand Canyon-type hike and instead the hiking was primarily across wide-open, hot, exposed, bone-dry open scrub land. It had a magnificent unique beauty to it, but not what any of us expected.

Yellowstone doesn’t have the type of spectacular mountain views that you find in Glacier, Colorado, the Winds, or the Sierra, but it has a unique ‘wild’ feel. We didn’t end up running into any ‘large animals’, but there was never a moment on this hike you weren't keenly aware we were no longer on the top of the ‘food chain.' The 'High Bear Activity' signs and non-stop bones from past kills left no doubt we were in active grizzly country.

For those who have watched my other videos this one is done in the same style - an hour in length, intended to bring the audience along for the 'ride', and with a still picture slide show with music at the end. If you just have a few minutes skip to the end and enjoy the pictures.

Equipment / Gear List:

Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 https://amzn.to/3Q3Gsco
Lens: Nikkor 20mm f1.8 Z-mount lens https://amzn.to/3znpOP7
Lens: Nikkor 24mm f1.8 Z-mount lens https://amzn.to/2QZqNOo
Tripod: Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod https://amzn.to/3bH3Rvg
Camera shoulder clip: Peak Designs Capture clip system https://amzn.to/2wRdusp
Video Editing Software: Vegas Pro 16 https://amzn.to/2X5dKyu
Pack: Zpacks Arc Blast 55L
Tent: Zpacks Triplex
Sleeping Bag: Zpacks 20degF Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Therm https://amzn.to/2yjrUlj
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite https://amzn.to/39zju6v
Pillow: Exped Air Pillow UL https://amzn.to/2WYE5hZ
Stove: JetBoil Flash https://amzn.to/3azKRi7
Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 https://amzn.to/3dPtOL5
Pot: MSR Titan titanium 0.9L kettle https://amzn.to/3bF1RDB
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot https://amzn.to/2R0JvoW
Buff: Merino wool Buff https://amzn.to/3dCYHSC
Recharging Battery: Anker 3500mAH ‘lipstick’ charger https://amzn.to/2URI7G3
Camp Chair: Helonix Chair Zero https://amzn.to/2xzbwgh
Camp Shoes: Xero Shoes Z-Trek https://amzn.to/3bA3X7I
Wet Wipes: Survivorware Wet Wipes https://amzn.to/2JwbQ2e