Glacier Basin — Friday, Aug. 25, 2017

Our first overnight hike! We stayed at the campground at Monte Cristo,  we were the only ones there on a friday night, which was nice. After we set up camp Friday evening, we meandered up to the town and poked around a bit. We smelled a campfire, but couldn't determine where it was. Headed back down to camp to sleep with the intentions of hiking to Glacier Basin in the morning before we headed back. Woke up to a beautiful day and met some hikers while we ate breakfast. Headed up through the town of Monte Cristo along Dumas Street. We met the same hikers who discovered a smoldering fire up by the School House just before 76' Creek. They were headed down to get the rangers. We went up to the fire and seeing there was still burning embers and multiple hot spots, we started pouring what water we had. We worked for about an hour and a half going between the creek filling up our hydration packs and dumping water on the fire. We also tried to smother the fire with dirt and ashes which was tough. During all of this, we realized that the fire was started by a campfire that was obviously not put out properly!!! Not only that, but fires aren't even allowed!  My husband burned his foot, so then we were done. We never made it up to the basin, we just headed back to camp, broke down and went home. Along the way we asked hikers to stop by and check things out, which everyone was happy to do. I really can't say enough good things about our hiking community!!!