In the top photo, we're dropping down into the valley of Rescue Creek after hiking in from near Gardiner, Montana. Camp #1A2 lies along the edge of the timber in the bottom of the valley, just a little ways past the small pond visible on the valley floor.

Below, Annie and Tom stand by the campsite marker, with the campsite a few hundred yards behind them. In Yellowstone, most campsites are located well away from the main trails, something that helps avoid conflict with the bears that use the trails at night. A small stream tumbles down the hillside only a few feet away from the cooking area. That's the cooking area on the edge of the meadow, visible as a cleared spot at the end of the faint path. From the campsite, I had a great view of the wildlife that traveled the valley late in the afternoon, including a couple of huge bull elk that rambled up and down the ridge during my stay at Rescue Creek.