Thirty minutes from West Yellowstone, right past a frozen Hebgen Lake, is the trailhead for Refuge Point. Refuge Point is the location where survivors of an earthquake in 1959 sought protection and the Forest Service smoke jumpers set up operations as they attempted to rescue campers that were trapped between Hebgen Dam and a massive rockslide downstream. This is such an amazing snowshoe trail as the views are gorgeous and there are no other people to share it with. After doing several runs downhill on the sled (one ride lasting one minute and fifteen seconds), we created a path to the river, throwing chunks of snow into the Madison River and watching it melt as it is rushed downstream. It is days like these that we keep coming to West Yellowstone during winter months. The frigid temperatures are breathtaking but so is the landscape.
Breathtakingly stunning. I love the contrasts. So dramatic. Oh and Eric’s beard is looking very mountainy. FUN.
Beautiful photos – especially the shadows on snow.