Our 2nd camping trip of the summer started out innocently enough. With a Stage II fire restriction (No open flames/Charcoal Grills/Etc) in place around Yellowstone County we decided to trek a bit further and go check out the campgrounds around the Hyalite reservoir area. The Forest Service has turned over the majority of campsites over to "concessionaire-operated" sites; meaning that an on-site camp host is employed by a company that has purchased the rights to maintain the campsite from the Forest Service. Now instead of mostly first come, first serve sites most are reserved and you are encouraged to make reservations on-line or by phone. ...we didn't make reservations, I figured since we were heading up on Wednesday we would have plenty of options. I was wrong. So, after driving thru 3 different sites, we headed back towards Livingston to check out some sites along the road to Gardiner (North Entrance to Yellowstone Park). We struck out one more time but finally landed one! We stayed at the Pine Creek Campground. We had a great time and enjoyed a short, 1 mile hike up to the Pine Creek Falls. We played in the creek, ate wild raspberries and just took it easy for the weekend. The campground is located in Park County, which only has a Stage I fire restriction. This meant that we could still have a small campfire inside established fire rings at the campsite (s'mores were enjoyed by all).
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| Dirt don't hurt! |
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| Audrey and Daddy looking over Pine Creek |
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| Madison and Daddy looking over Pine Creek |
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| Zoie and Daddy looking over Pine Creek |
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| Silly girls! |
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| The girls practicing their jumping skills off a log along the trail up to the Pine Creek Falls |
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| The bridge across Pine Creek, just below the falls. |
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| Audrey and Zoie playing amongst some driftwood below the falls |
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| Audrey... dirty shorts and a mismatched outfit. |
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| Daddy and girls hiking towards the falls |
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| Looks scarier that it was. |
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| Krista and the kids... what a view. |
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| Zoie! |
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| Madison! |
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| Zoie and Audrey on this side, Baxter in the creek, Madison and Daddy on the far side. By the way, that water was COLD! |
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| Madison was a little upset that Daddy splashed her with water. |
