Bill Schneider, in his excellent Yellowstone guidebook (Hiking Yellowstone National Park, Falcon Guide), says that Rescue Creek is one "of the best campsite locations in the Park." As I mentioned before, it's all apples and oranges to me - I like 'em all! However, this certainly ranks right up there with the best. To the north, the valley tilts upward, climbing to a high ridge bordered with dense timber. To the east and south, the meadows sprawl for miles across the northern range. There arepiles of firewood, and on my visit, a thoughtful visitor had neatly stacked a huge pile of dry wood just outside the food site. I could sit by the fire, sip coffee and watch the local elk put on a great show. Raptors rode the thermals of the ridge just in front of my camp, and a coyote in a big hurry trotted down the trail, heading south and remaining in sight for over a mile.

There was a beautiful stand of aspen at the head of the valley, decked out in full autumn colors. Life was good.