Our second hitch in Yellowstone brought new challenges from a more technical perspective. We learned how to build rock water bars and steps. It was the sort of situation where you alternate between cursing and pleading with the rocks to work. Ultimately, what seemed to be going nowhere fast, ends up looking really nice and the frustration thankfully fades into the background.
To dig the holes for our structures we introduced a little gas-powered muscle in the form of a Pionjar. Working the Pionjar is like bouncing a fat, temperamental baby up and down. You hug it up, show it love and hope the two of you can communicate on the same level. Difficult, but fun.
We also completed some additional trail maintenance work. Our crew widened another section, de-rocked others, cleared drains and just generally sought out trail perfection. Which reminds me now of something Cager (Yellowstone NP trail crew) was talking to us about on this hitch. The work we are doing has a lasting impact, not just on the trail, but on the people who use it. Hopefully, our trail helps them find what it is they are looking for. Whether it is just a fun story to tell or a part of themselves they didn't know was missing.
Our last day of the hitch was all about the helicopter. At times there were two of them dropping off loads of supplies that we will use to fix the Black Tail bridge. Unloading the pallets of supplies was a rush. Everyone worked together to quickly move the supplies from the drop zone and stack them in another location. Unfortunately, the helicopter work had to be stopped early that day because of wind. I can't wait to return to Yellowstone and see all of the project supplies that were brought in after we left.
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