One more view from the porch of the Slough Creek patrol cabin and we're moving on back down the trail towards camp. At this time of year, the hillsides along the trail, actually a wagon road that accesses the Silvertip Ranch far to the north outside the Yellowstone boundary, are a veritable flower garden. I've hiked this stretch a lot of times over the years, and I've never failed to encounter a number of mule deer along the way.

In the bottom photo, we're dropping off the ridge between the patrol cabin and the trailhead. You can see the broad sweep of Lamar Valley in the distance. Heavy rain showers block the view of the Washburn Range that is visible on clear days.