Petrified Forest and Hot Springs – July 25th – 26th, 2016

Before going to Tom Miner Campground located near the petrified forest in Gallatin National Forest, we stopped in Bozeman to run errands and get some quality time with the internet. Tucker got some treats and a new backpacking bowl (he was afraid to eat out of the last one for some unknown reason). We also went to Olive Garden, thanks to a gift card from one of Andy’s vendors from back when we were employed. I found an expiration sticker in my lasagna and ended up with a free entrée and free dessert! WINNING! With wine our bill was less than $30 so we worked on our van karma and gave the rest of the $50 gift card as a tip to our waitress.

We got up early-ish and hiked into the Gallatin Petrified Forest. We expected a bunch of terrified trees, but instead there were huge mounds of volcanic debris that had been transported a long distance millions of years ago, from a volcano of unknown origin. Inside the volcanic debris mounds were petrified trees. They were everywhere!!! We were the only ones there and spent hours exploring. We couldn’t believe that this area was not more well known/traveled.

A terrified tree embedded in the volcanic debris in the Gallatin Petrified Forest

Andy in a small cave in the Gallatin Petrified Forest 

Dani and Tucker on top of one of the volcanic debris piles in the Gallatin Petrified Forest

In the afternoon, we went to Chico Hot Springs and soaked in the pool for several hours. We got ice cream and did some more Internet research before taking freezing cold showers with water flow like knives. Although frigid, we did not complain (much), as it had been 4 days since we had showed last. We ended up camping for free in the parking lot of Emerald General Store. The store was a surprisingly well-stocked little place in the middle of nowhere with groceries, laundry, gas, car wash, and car vacuums. We made use of all of their facilities before moving onto to our second backpacking adventure the following day.