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- #21
Where'd you go and what was the issue? Back country to just sticking to the grand loop?
Yellowstone Backcountry
- Thread starter JayDoc
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Might be a little different than what you have in mind, but I absolutely LOVE the Bechler area of the park. It's at the far south end of the park and it is remote and MUCH less trafficked than most other places in the park, especially anywhere around Yellowstone Lake or the touristy areas.
You'll need a permit and you'll enter through the Bechler ranger station. The hike is not terrible and mostly flat terrain but it's beautiful. Good fishing in the streams. We usually hike into the Boundary Creek area to camp and will hike from there to Dunanda falls and other places to fish etc. Dunanda falls is really cool and there are hot springs below the falls where you can make your own "hot tubs".
We've also hiked in from the same starting location and up to Union Falls if you want to travel farther over a few days. That's a great option too.
It's bear country (mostly black bear) so you'll need to carry bear spray and you'll be required to put all food up "bear poles" away from your campsite.
Here's our route and campsite we usually use.
Crossing Boundary Creek
We went in March a couple years ago which is pretty frosty but you get a great view of the Tetons.
The area can be pretty wet in places and bugs could be an issue in June.
Dunanda Falls
River below Dunanda
Crossing the meadow
You'll need a permit and you'll enter through the Bechler ranger station. The hike is not terrible and mostly flat terrain but it's beautiful. Good fishing in the streams. We usually hike into the Boundary Creek area to camp and will hike from there to Dunanda falls and other places to fish etc. Dunanda falls is really cool and there are hot springs below the falls where you can make your own "hot tubs".
We've also hiked in from the same starting location and up to Union Falls if you want to travel farther over a few days. That's a great option too.
It's bear country (mostly black bear) so you'll need to carry bear spray and you'll be required to put all food up "bear poles" away from your campsite.
Here's our route and campsite we usually use.
Crossing Boundary Creek
We went in March a couple years ago which is pretty frosty but you get a great view of the Tetons.
The area can be pretty wet in places and bugs could be an issue in June.
Dunanda Falls
River below Dunanda
Crossing the meadow
- Thread starter
- #23
Thanks for the reply. I have been really looking at the 'cascade corner' there and love what I've read about it except what I've read about bugs and sogginess in June.
It's on the list but (for the moment) I'm thinking starting at biscuit basin, along the little firehole river, then up around towards fairy falls and the great prismatic spring.
Probably more 'touristy' there though huh?
i dig your pics btw.
It's on the list but (for the moment) I'm thinking starting at biscuit basin, along the little firehole river, then up around towards fairy falls and the great prismatic spring.
Probably more 'touristy' there though huh?
i dig your pics btw.
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I've only done one BC trip at YS. It was great we didn't see hardly anyone granted it was 20 years ago. But I doubt too much has changed once you get a couple hundred yards from pavement. We camped on the east side of Heart Lake. Campsite was awesome so was the trip.
But I also vote for the Wind River's. The advantage you have in the National Forest vs NPS is lack of defined camp sites and thus iteriary. If you want to camp there, then do it. If you want to change your plans because the fishing is good, stay an extra night. If you go to Yellowstone you'll have to lay out your plans at the permit office and stick to them. I hate that.
Less big bears in the Winds but that is the only place I've ever had a Puma in my campsite. I'd rather see a bear personally. I'm still torn between bear spray and a side arm. I generally carry both. If you have never discharged a can of bear spay I urge you to do sometime. See how it sprays and how far. Also I'd never spray it into a headwind even slight.
But I also vote for the Wind River's. The advantage you have in the National Forest vs NPS is lack of defined camp sites and thus iteriary. If you want to camp there, then do it. If you want to change your plans because the fishing is good, stay an extra night. If you go to Yellowstone you'll have to lay out your plans at the permit office and stick to them. I hate that.
Less big bears in the Winds but that is the only place I've ever had a Puma in my campsite. I'd rather see a bear personally. I'm still torn between bear spray and a side arm. I generally carry both. If you have never discharged a can of bear spay I urge you to do sometime. See how it sprays and how far. Also I'd never spray it into a headwind even slight.
Cats scare me waaay more than bears, cats be sneaky, tree hangers. Sidearm is a must, out of the park...
you can carry firearms in national parks now. I still think bear spray is your best defense. actually simply being "bear aware" is your best defense. make your presence known, talk loudly or clap your hands when in dense forest. most bear attacks happen because the animal is startled. if they know you are there before you are right in front of them they are likely to leave in a hurry. I think you have to remember you will be in their home, and that deserves a little respect. would you walk into a strangers house and wander around, but then shoot them if they scared you? (I know mace isn't pleasant either, but its non leathal. don't get me wrong, I am a gun owner and wouldn't hesitate using it to save me or my family but the whole situation can be easily avoided. cats on the other hand are a different story, even if they are present you will likely never know.
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Oh, I totally forgot the other BIG advantage to the National Forest vs National Park. Dogs. If I have my 100 lb malamute with me I generally don't worry to much about bears/cats. He will pick up on them way before I do. Plus he carries 20 lbs of my crap.
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You can't go wrong with the Bechler River trail....Old Faithful to Idaho ranger station or the Wind River Range. Both are incredible but I think I have enjoyed the Wind Rivers more. When backpacking, you are required to put your food in a bear proof container in the Wind Rivers. I believe this is true for Yellowstone too. So, you'll have to buy or rent those.
Island Lake, Wind River Rage.........you can't see this from a car
Senneca Lake on the way to Island Lake
Island Lake, Wind River Rage.........you can't see this from a car
Senneca Lake on the way to Island Lake
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- #29
Gorgeous pics there.
All this talk about the wind river range has piqued my interest. Is there a good website w/ wind river trails?
I still have my mind set on the grand-daddy icon that is YS but we'll be in Jackson a few days before we go camping and maybe a day hike in the wind river range would be in order.
All this talk about the wind river range has piqued my interest. Is there a good website w/ wind river trails?
I still have my mind set on the grand-daddy icon that is YS but we'll be in Jackson a few days before we go camping and maybe a day hike in the wind river range would be in order.
Just for the record, That stuff in the claws of Grizzlys is slow hiker parts.
A few from the Bechler River trail in Yellowstone. There are many waterfalls off this trail and some hot springs near the three rivers area as someone mentioned. I am not familiar with a website for Wind River trail information. I have books and trail guides. I'd start with the national forest website that administers the wind rivers first.
I would recommend Island lake for a long, all day hike. It'd be easier to camp going and coming back. I camped at Hobbs lake, Island Lake and Hobbs lake again on the way back. It's out of Pinedale Wyoming. The trail head is at Elkhart park.
The Wind River Range is now wolf territory, so dogs, even large dogs, are not the best idea. Wolves see them as competition to be gotten rid of. The smell of your dog will also draw the wolves to you.
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I couldn't go backpacking without my Malamute.
Um, there's wolfs in YS too. Probably more so. It's Wyoming, wolves are everywhere in the big ranges.
The Wind Rivers are where it's at...
For those saying that Yellowstone is too crowded, you aren't backcountry. When I lived in Jackson,we did several trips and some of my favorites are those listed. The wind River and big horns are great. When we lived in Laramie, did a lot of trips to the snowies and fox park
Last year, we returned and did two back country trips in yellowstone. Have you gotten your back country permits yet? That is going to be the deciding factor of where you can go. You need to get your application in by March 31
Backcountry Camping & Hiking - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
We did heart lake for three nights and did the climb up to the top of Mt Sheridan. Definitely a hard hike.
Then a few days later we had an easy hike in and spent the night so we could catch some grayling in grebe lake
Get your permits in and your other reservations. Get out of the car and onto the less traveled trails
Bk
Last year, we returned and did two back country trips in yellowstone. Have you gotten your back country permits yet? That is going to be the deciding factor of where you can go. You need to get your application in by March 31
Backcountry Camping & Hiking - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
We did heart lake for three nights and did the climb up to the top of Mt Sheridan. Definitely a hard hike.
Then a few days later we had an easy hike in and spent the night so we could catch some grayling in grebe lake
Get your permits in and your other reservations. Get out of the car and onto the less traveled trails
Bk
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- #37
Thanks for the reply and yeah I need to get my permit request in this week.
Been spending too much time hemming and hawing over the perfect route.
Now I'm thinking hiking from Delacy creek, along the north Shore of shoshone lake and spending half a day checking
out the shoshone geyser basin before heading north to lone star geyser.
Decisions, decisions.
Been spending too much time hemming and hawing over the perfect route.
Now I'm thinking hiking from Delacy creek, along the north Shore of shoshone lake and spending half a day checking
Decisions, decisions.
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- #38
That was quick.
I sent the permit request last Wednesday.
Received the confirmation email today.
We got the route and camp sites I wanted.
Trailhead In: 7K2 (DeLacy Creek).
Trailhead Out: OK1 (Lone Star).
I sent the permit request last Wednesday.
Received the confirmation email today.
We got the route and camp sites I wanted.
Trailhead In: 7K2 (DeLacy Creek).
Trailhead Out: OK1 (Lone Star).
I know this isn't a gun thread, but curious as to what defines "big gun" for the WY locals? My "pack gun" for the California black bears/cougars is a Glock 10mm. This is plenty of power for anything moving in CA, but not the browns for sure. Are you guys carrying 44s, 454s, or long guns out yonder?
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- #40
I've toyed with the idea of 10mm from a 1911.
These puppies are designed for penetration and sing out at 1500 fps from a 5" 1911 barrel.
That's better than the average 44mag from that length barrel.
Basically, I'm just looking for an excuse to buy another 1911 instead of a revolver.