Idaho
Illegal Hitch Hiking in Idaho – The Trek
![Illegal Hitch Hiking in Idaho – The Trek Illegal Hitch Hiking in Idaho – The Trek](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203649/IMG_8777-scaled.jpeg)
This morning I wanted to sleep in but heard Syrup pop his sleep pad at 6:20am. I guess he didn’t get the memo that we were going to sleep in this morning. So I started slowly packing up and getting ready to hike. Just after 7am everybody was ready to go. We only had about 10 miles until we would get into Macks inn. And from there we could hitch into West Yellowstone.
Brushing my teeth as we did our road walk.
When we left camp we only had to walk .2 miles on trail. Then we got into the most perfectly manicured dirt road I’d ever seen. It had a slight downhill decline too. We would be walking along that for the entire rest of the way to town. It doesn’t get much better than that.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203617/IMG_8768-scaled.jpeg)
9 Lives up ahead along the road.
I had service so I did some stuff on my phone as I walked. Then I talked to my mom on the phone for a while. The time flew by and by 10am we got into town. Our first stop was for food of course. The trail went right past a subway and all of us had been talking about it for days. Everybody headed inside and dropped our packs. Then I ordered a steak and cheese sub with all the fixings.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203637/IMG_8773-scaled.jpeg)
My loaded subway sandwich. We had been dreaming about subway for days.
After we got our food we asked for a piece of cardboard. Then made a sign saying “West Yellowstone” so that we could attempt to get a hitch. We walked across the street to the nearby grocery store to grab a couple of things after that. Then began hitching. While I held up the sign I remembered something though, hitch hiking is illegal in Idaho! And I was pretty sure that we were in Idaho right now.
Within the first 10 minutes a car pulled over. It was actually a guy who we had texted earlier about maybe shuttling us to West Yellowstone. Originally he said that he couldn’t fit all of us. That’s why we were hitching. But now he said he thought he could try to get all 5 of us in. We were super grateful for that. In the end Sidequest and I went in the truck bed and everyone else fit inside the cab. The ride to West Yellowstone was only 14 miles from Mack’s inn, so it was short and sweet. Before we knew it we were in town.
![Illegal Hitch Hiking in Idaho – The Trek Illegal Hitch Hiking in Idaho – The Trek](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203649/IMG_8777-scaled.jpeg)
Sidequest and I loaded into the truck bed with all of the packs. The bed was raised so it was like we were sitting on top of the bed practically.
West Yellowstone is a lot like Gatlinburg on the AT. It’s a big tourist town with everything that you could think of. Luckily we got into town on a Tuesday, so it was much less crazy. Our first stop was the visitor center to ask about permits. We’re going to come back tomorrow and actually get them. But we had a couple of questions. Then we made our way through town.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203707/IMG_8785-scaled.jpeg)
Talking to the Yellowstone ranger about permits.
9 Lives and I have been talking about boba tea for days because we heard there was a store in West Yellowstone. So we headed to a place to get that. Lately on trail we have been in tiny towns so the variety of food and drinks has been limited. I’ve been dying for something like this! I got a Thai tea and everyone else got something too. Then we sat outside and enjoyed. After I finished I got a taro smoothie for round 2. I just couldn’t resist.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203716/IMG_8787-scaled.jpeg)
A Thai tea from the shop in west Yellowstone.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203726/IMG_8788-scaled.jpeg)
Tea&Brown, where I got so many drinks while we were in west Yellowstone.
Check in time for our room was 2pm so we had a little bit of time to kill. While we sat outside we heard someone holler over, and to my surprise it was Sprinkle! She was down on the Florida trail earlier this year. It was so cool to see her again. She works in the area doing tours. We talked with her for a bit and she even offered us some drinks. Sadly she has to work these next couple of days so we can’t hangout. But hopefully we’ll be able to see her again while we’re still in the area.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203735/IMG_8798-scaled.jpeg)
Sprinkles truck and the cool platform she made so that she can camp in it. The car was loaded with packs because she was helping out a few other hikers.
Shortly after that we checked into our motel room. Then everybody showered and we got our stuff together to do laundry. While we were hanging at the room a bunch of our friends showed up that we haven’t seen in weeks. Nana Man, Dirty, Just in Case, and Giggles all came by the room. Plus a couple other friends that they have been hiking with. It was so nice to see everyone again.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203753/IMG_8809-scaled.jpeg)
Nana Man in one of his many fantastic outfits, with his cane of course.
Then once everybody showered a huge group of us walked to the laundromat together. While the laundry was going we all hung out. I got a little bit of writing done and everyone else did some drinking. Then once we were done we dropped our stuff back at the room and headed to an early dinner.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203802/IMG_8811-scaled.jpeg)
The laundromat where we hung out for a while.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203814/IMG_8814-scaled.jpeg)
Dirty and his new straw hat. It feels like forever since we’ve seen these guys!
There was apparently a wicked good BBQ place in town but it was closed. So we went to the Slippery Otter. The name alone was enough to get us intrigued. I was pretty hungry but not really in the mood for bar food. High Profile and I split an order of jalapeño wontons to start. Then I got a big salad and an order of sweet potato fries for my meal. It wound up being the perfect amount of food since I wasn’t starving.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203833/IMG_8823-scaled.jpeg)
The Slippery Otter Pub where we went for an early dinner.
It was so nice getting a meal with this whole but crew again. It was High Profile, 9 Lives, Sidequest, Syrup, Nana Man, Dirty, Tigger, and myself. We hung out there for a while eating and talking. Then headed out after that. Everyone else wanted to go to another bar but I wasn’t in the mood to drink. So I went to get ice cream with HP. I also realized that since everyone else was gone I would have the motel room to myself. That meant I could probably get some voice recording stuff done hopefully before everyone came back. But of course, I started to work and within 5 minutes Syrup came back to the room. That was totally fine, but I was disappointed that I didn’t manage to get anything done beforehand.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203823/IMG_8824-scaled.jpeg)
The Slippery Otter Pub in West Yellowstone.
I really wanted to get some work done so I decided to walk down the street. I was hoping that I could find some place quiet to work. In the end I sat on some cement blocks and got a bunch of work done. But within the next half hour it began to drizzle. Luckily I was under an over hang, because before I knew it it started pouring. There was a lull in the rain and I used my opportunity to run back to the motel.
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203843/IMG_8829-scaled.jpeg)
I got an ice cream with High Profile and ate it back at the room.
Thank god I got back when I did. Because almost as soon as I got back the sky opened up and began dumping rain! It sounded and looked terrible out. So I hid in the room with Syrup just relaxing. It felt so good to lay in bed and do nothing at all. But I did manage to get a lot of writing done and a few videos made.
Everyone else came back to the room not too long after that. The guys said that they probably wanted to hike out with us in a couple of days. We haven’t hiked together in 2 weeks, so I would absolutely love that. I missed these crazy guys!
![](https://photos.thetrek.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01203743/IMG_8806-scaled.jpeg)
The City Center Motel where we would wind up staying 2 nights in West Yellowstone.
Then later on in the evenings a bunch of us ordered Chinese food. HP and I walked to pick it up. Then came back to the room to eat. I got crab Rangoons and Mongolian beef with rice. It’s been so long since I ate anything besides burgers and American food. I was excited for some variety. The crab Rangoons were great and I ate all of those quickly. Then I’ll have a bunch of leftovers for tomorrow.
Later on in the evening I got a bit more writing done. The guys left our room and went to tent somewhere in town. We told them that they could sleep on our floor, but they wanted to tent. I wound up staying up way too late doing some work on my phone. Then eventually called it a night. Tomorrow we’re taking a zero day! So I can sleep in as late as I want and chill all day
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek’s ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Idaho
Murdered Idaho students honored as campus hopes to 'bring that light back' nearly two years later
![Murdered Idaho students honored as campus hopes to 'bring that light back' nearly two years later Murdered Idaho students honored as campus hopes to 'bring that light back' nearly two years later](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/BeFunky-collage-4-1.jpg)
On a bright Wednesday afternoon at the University of Idaho, students and staff unveiled a new garden memorial to honor the four students killed Nov. 13, 2022, and other students the school has lost since.
The Vandal Healing Garden, created by students at the University of Idaho College of Art and Architecture, opened two days after fall classes officially began this week.
“It was so well done, and it was a day meant to recognize the time and effort of the kids who built it,” Stacy Chapin, whose son Ethan Chapin was among the four Idaho students murdered in 2022, told Fox News Digital.
One side of the memorial is dedicated to Ethan, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, while the other side is a place for all University of Idaho families who have experienced loss to reflect on their loved ones, Chapin explained.
BRYAN KOHBERGER TRIAL SET TO BEGIN JUNE 2025 IN IDAHO MURDERS CASE
The University of Idaho unveiled a new garden memorial Wednesday in honor of the four students killed in November 2022 and all the university students who have died since then. (University of Idaho)
Stacy Chapin said she felt “amazing” support from her son’s fraternity brothers, her daughter’s sorority sisters, the university and the community as a whole.
“It was an amazing day.”
Part of the November 2022 side of the memorial includes a structure that reflects all four students’ favorite colors, Chapin explained.
![Students embrace as the memorial is presented](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/456436882_905474941627148_1207856429478769464_n.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The University of Idaho on Wednesday unveiled a new memorial dedicated by the community. (University of Idaho)
Ethan’s friend and fraternity brother, Drew Giacomazzi, was one of the students tasked with helping to create the memorial.
Giacomazzi told Fox News Digital the garden was an 18-month project, completely funded by the community, that involved lots of meetings between students, school staff and design professionals. He said he was “at a loss for words” when he saw the final outcome this week.
In his speech Wednesday, he said the university felt “dark, cold and distant” after the murders, and “the intent of the Healing Garden is to build a unique space that unites University of Idaho students, alumni and the Moscow community.”
“Do more of what you love to honor Kaylee. Spread that love with random acts of kindness to honor Maddie. Be silly and do something spontaneous and fun to honor Xana. And tell stories with an abundance of laughter to honor Ethan,” Giacomazzi said in his speech.
![The Vandal Healing Garden](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/456514241_905474914960484_6167726897973572345_n.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The University of Idaho recently unveiled a new memorial dedicated by the community. (University of Idaho)
The University of Idaho said in a statement posted on Facebook that the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial was “designed, vetted and built” by students with guidance from faculty and alumni. The memorial is “a testament to the inspirational response from our community and a symbol of” the university’s strength as a community, the statement said.
The school added that the garden “is a space to come together in moments of grief and reflection and to honor the Vandal students” that the school has lost.
IDAHO STUDENTS’ FORMER ROOMMATE BREAKS SILENCE AS JUDGE CLOSES SUSPECT KOHBERGER’S NEXT HEARING
Nov. 13 will mark two years since 20-year-old Kernodle and Chapin and 21-year-old Goncalves and Mogen were murdered in a student rental home just yards from campus in the middle of the night.
![A close-up of the University of Idaho Healing Garden](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/image000000-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Ethan Chapin’s name is displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial. (University of Idaho)
![Xana Kernodle's name displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/9TH03647-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Xana Kernodle’s name is displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial. (University of Idaho)
![Kaylee Goncalves' name displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/9TH03650-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Kaylee Goncalves’ name is displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial. (University of Idaho)
![Madison May Mogen's name displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/9TH03648-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Madison May Mogen’s name is displayed on the University of Idaho Vandal Healing Garden memorial. (University of Idaho)
Giacomazzi said he knew all four victims but was closest to Ethan, who was the kind of person to brighten an entire room with his laughter and make others feel “welcome.” He was in the airport visiting his sister in New York when he heard Ethan had died, and he recalled being in a state of shock when he found out what had happened.
“It was a really scary moment, and coming back it was surreal seeing news cameras there, and we just didn’t know what to do. Our fraternity didn’t know what to do. I think the university was just kind of stunned and didn’t know what to do. It was a weird time in Moscow,” Giacomazzi recalled.
“This Healing Garden is just an area to bring that light back to campus.”
The memorial will help students “go through those emotions” of grief “and feel safe while doing it,” Giacomazzi added. “There are obviously buildings and areas of campus like that before, but there was nothing purposefully designed and dedicated to those kinds of emotions, and this Healing Garden is just an area to bring that light back to campus.”
![U of I officials speak during the unveiling of The Vandals Healing Garden](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/456482709_905475024960473_3036466119919380192_n.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
University of Idaho students Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen died Nov. 13, 2022. (University of Idaho)
University of Idaho President Scott Green said in his remarks Wednesday that the tragedy provided the “impetus” for the garden memorial.
“We lost four shining lights full of life and promise. This garden memorial is dedicated to them and the University of Idaho,” Green said. “It’s a reminder that even in times of sadness and darkness, we can always find light.”
Suspect Bryan Kohberger, a 29-year-old criminology Ph.D. student at the neighboring University of Washington in Pullman, is suspected of stabbing the four students in their rooms in the early morning hours of that Sunday. He pleaded not guilty and is expected to stand trial next year.
BRYAN KOHBERGER ASKS COURT FOR CHANGE OF VENUE AFTER DELAYS IN IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS TRIAL
![Idaho victims last photo](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/11/1200/675/Idaho-teens-last-photo.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and two other housemates in Goncalves’ final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)
Kohberger is asking for his trial to be moved out of Latah County, the close-knit college community where the murders took place.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“A fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces,” Anne Taylor, Kohberger’s lead defense attorney, wrote in a February court filing.
The defendant’s efforts to change the trial venue are ongoing.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Idaho
Thousands without power in Madison, Fremont and Jefferson counties – East Idaho News
![Thousands without power in Madison, Fremont and Jefferson counties – East Idaho News Thousands without power in Madison, Fremont and Jefferson counties – East Idaho News](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets.eastidahonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Madison_Closure.jpg)
REXBURG — Thousands of people in Madison, Fremont and Jefferson counties are without electricity Friday evening and crews are working to repair downed power poles and transmission lines.
Outages are affecting Rocky Mountain Power and Fall River Electric customers. Over 5,300 customers across the three counties are without power as of 5:15 p.m.
Rocky Mountain Power spokesman David Eskelsen tells EastIdahoNews.com several transmission lines are down due to high winds and damaging weather.
“Fall River Electric Cooperative is experiencing a power outage in the Twin Groves/Wilford area of Fremont County. The cause is unknown but could likely be related to the passing thundershowers in the area,” a Fall River Electric Facebook post says. “This outage started around 4:30 p.m. Members should expect it to last up to two hours.”
Crews are responding to multiple power poles that are down along Idaho Highway 33 near Newdale that are contributing to the outages. Part of the highway from Newdale to Teton County Line is closed due to the downed poles.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said its unclear how long it will take to fix the downed power poles.
Eskelsen said the outage could last several hours.
You can find the latest outage information for Rocky Mountain here and Fall River Electric here.
EastIdahoNews.com will update this story.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
Idaho
Friends find missing motorcyclist days after Idaho crash
![Friends find missing motorcyclist days after Idaho crash Friends find missing motorcyclist days after Idaho crash](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best/mpx/2704722219/2024_08/ZachDemoss-mrw1jp.jpg)
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
-
Now Playing
Friends find missing motorcyclist days after Idaho crash
01:58
-
UP NEXT
New Texas policy denies transgender ID changes
01:55
-
Missing Virginia woman’s husband accused of concealing body
02:09
-
Watch: California sea lions have taken over a beach in Monterey
01:00
-
Arkansas Supreme Court prevents abortion rights initiative from appearing on ballot
00:52
-
Harris faces major test with convention speech as race remains tight
01:22
-
Trump campaigns at border as authorities arrest suspect who threatened to kill him
02:59
-
Man bleeding from hair transplant surgery removed from flight
02:26
-
California hospital accused of losing woman’s body
02:01
-
People with HIV cannot be barred from joining the military, judge rules
00:38
-
One-on-one with Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles
01:30
-
Revamped Democratic convention a major test for Harris and Walz
00:58
-
Sources: RFK Jr. plans to drop out and endorse Trump on Friday
02:20
-
Florida officer fired after video shows her pulling a gun wins back job
01:12
-
U.S. soldier charged with firearms trafficking, lying on security forms
01:30
-
JD Vance says possible RFK endorsement isn’t tied to Cabinet position
01:39
-
Four bodies recovered from sunken yacht off Italy’s coast
02:08
-
JD Vance accuses Tim Walz of lying about his IVF experience
00:43
-
Polls show a growing enthusiasm for Harris among Democratic voters
02:40
-
DNC protesters clash with police outside Israeli Consulate
00:50
-
Now Playing
Friends find missing motorcyclist days after Idaho crash
01:58
-
UP NEXT
New Texas policy denies transgender ID changes
01:55
-
Missing Virginia woman’s husband accused of concealing body
02:09
-
Watch: California sea lions have taken over a beach in Monterey
01:00
-
Arkansas Supreme Court prevents abortion rights initiative from appearing on ballot
00:52
-
Harris faces major test with convention speech as race remains tight
01:22
-
Minnesota6 days ago
Readers and writers: Plenty of thrills and danger in these Minnesota author’s mysteries
-
Fitness1 week ago
A Guide to Pottruck Health and Fitness Center
-
News1 week ago
Video: Biden and Harris Announce Deal to Lower Drug Prices
-
Politics1 week ago
Harris dodging flip-flop attacks as faceless surrogates flip on key positions: 'Playing politics'
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump assassination attempt: Secret Service makes big change to former president's outdoor rally security
-
News1 week ago
Half Their Land Burned in a Decade: The California Counties Constantly on Fire
-
Politics1 week ago
Harris camp silent on when VP will hold press conference as Trump preps to host his second in a week
-
Politics1 week ago
House Oversight investigating Walz over 'longstanding connections' to China