Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Yellowstone National Park

Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Sunday, August 18, 2024 -- $1775 ★★★



Description

When attempting to describe the magnitude of Yellowstone National Park words fall impotently short. Yellowstone is a premier destination you should visit, preferably with us. Just Google it, and you will be overwhelmed by videos, websites and images featuring the Park, its geysers, grizzly bears, thundering rivers, big skies and ubiquitous bison.


This year's trip will traverse the Southwest (Bechler) part of the park and end at Old Faithful. Our trek begins in the relatively empty and mysterious Cave Falls front country campground. We will then head into the park in order to hike along the Bechler River, passing several iconic Yellowstone waterfalls: Dunanda, Colonnade, Iris, Ragged and Twister Falls. Along the way, we will visit Mr. Bubble -- a wilderness hot tub that's a destination in itself and is a 25 mile round trip from any road. We'll cap off the trip by walking to Old Faithful, hoping that its beauty will help you overcome the shock of the crowds awaiting its eruption.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s & 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. While there is typically not much rain, it can happen at any time along with violent thunder and lightning. There was a hailstorm in 2019 on the first night, but the rest of the trip was magnificent. Here is the historical August weather.



Probable Trip Leaders

Julie Quibodeaux
Beau Devlin
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty

The trails through Yellowstone National Park are typically well groomed with good footing and moderate elevation gain and loss (although it may not seem like that while hiking). The mileages are moderate and there will be plenty of daylight which gives us plenty of time to complete our daily mileage and relax in camp.


Please be aware that we will have to ford rivers (some cold, fast and/or deep), so make sure to bring sturdy camp shoes and trekking poles to help you cross these rivers without issue. Crocs can work but are not recommended for this particular trip.



Cost

$1775 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the hotel night. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Jackson, personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 1 front country campsite, backcountry fees, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park Permits, National Park entrance fees, backcountry permits and 2 awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Notes


Because of the limited availability and high cost of hotel rooms in Jackson, a single supplement is not available for this trip. You will be sharing a hotel room with 1 or 2 others. You may of course book your own room and we will issue you a small refund.


If you would like to fish, there may be time at some campsites to do so. However, you must purchase a Yellowstone fishing license from the ranger station (Wyoming / Montana license not necessary). Fatpacking does not have a fishing guide permit so you will be doing so on your own and at your own risk (we have to say this).


Yellowstone National Park requires Fatpacking to obtain backcountry permits for each campsite (in addition to our commercial permit) to hike in the backcountry. We submit our proposed route (delineated on this page) with route alternatives and alternate acceptable dates and they let us know on April 1st, 2024 which itinerary we are approved for. All this to say that the itinerary is subject to change based upon the vicissitudes of the park's backcountry office.


Fatpacking prohibits firearms on this (and all) trips. This is not only our requirement but also a requirement of Yellowstone National Park. However, you may bring bear spray (pepper spray) as there are both black bears and grizzly bears in the park. You will not be able to fly with bear spray however. You can buy or rent it in Jackson


Fatpacking has a commercial permit to operate in Yellowstone National Park.


Back to top
Sign Up For a Trip
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Sunday, August 11, 2024

Drive or fly into Jackson, WY Airport (JAC). The best time to arrive is between around 9AM-1PM as we head into the park once everyone has arrived. However, flights are limited so do the best you can. Earlier is better but later may be OK if we know ahead of time.

Text or call us and we will pick you up at the airport and bring you to our local hotel. Note: we will attempt to consolidate airport trips so please expect to wait up to an hour to be picked up.

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Equipment shakedown for those who hadn't already done their online shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Trail mix distribution from our make-your-own Trail Mix Bar

Go to Teton Mountaineering, 170 N Cache Dr, Jackson, WY 83001, (307) 733-3595 for last minute or forgotten equipment. Please note, there are several other fine options in town to buy or rent gear.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Cave Falls Campground, Forest Rd 006, Alta, WY 83414. Site(s): Assigned upon arrival Elevation: 6200'

Shuttling will take about 2 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Cave Falls Campground, Forest Rd 006, Alta, WY 83414. Site(s): Assigned upon arrival Elevation: 6200'


Monday, August 12, 2024

Begin hiking, elevation 6200'.

Road hike 0.6 miles into Yellowstone National Park, elevation 6225'

Hike 2.8 miles on the South Boundary Trail to the Bechler Ranger Station, elevation 6425'

Hike 1.6 miles on the Bechler River Cutoff to the Bechler River, elevation 6360'

Hike 2.2 miles on the Bechler River Trail to Rocky Ford Campsite (9C1), elevation 6390'

Camp at Rocky Ford Campsite (9C1), elevation 6390', swimming possible in the Bechler River

Miles today: 7.2. Total miles: 7.2

Possible Bailout: Bechler Ranger Station


Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Hike 0.6 miles on the Rocky Ford Cutoff to Bechler Meadows, elevation 6400'

Hike 1.7 miles on the Bechler Meadows Trail to the Boundary Creek Trail, elevation 6450'

Hike 6.6 miles on the Boundary Creek Trail to Dunanda Falls (9A3), elevation 6590'

Camp at Dunanda Falls (9A3), elevation 6590'

There are hot springs at the base of Dunanda Falls

Miles today: 8.9. Total miles: 16.1

Possible bailout: Bechler Ranger Station


Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Hike 1.7 miles on the Boundary Creek Trail to the Bechler Meadows Cutoff, elevation 6400'.

Hike 1.9 miles on the Bechler Meadows Cutoff to the Bechler Meadows Trail, elevation 6390'.

Hike 5.7 miles on the Bechler River Trail to Talus Spring (9B7), elevation 6970'

Camp at Talus Spring (9B7), elevation 6970'

Miles today: 9.3. Total miles: 25.4

Possible bailout: Bechler Ranger Station


Thursday, August 15, 2024

Hike 3.2 miles on the Bechler River Trail to the Ferris Creek Stock Crossing, elevation 7350'

Drop packs and day-hike 1.0 round trip miles to Mr. Bubbles, a little-known but amazing thermal feature that is essentially an enormous hot-tub of varying temperatures, elevation 7410'.

Hike 3.7 miles on the Bechler River Trail to Douglas Knob Meadow (9D3), elevation 8360'.

Camp at Douglas Knob Meadow (9D3), elevation 8360'.

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 33.4

Possible bailout: 1 or 2 days away


Friday, August 16, 2024

Hike 4.7 miles on the Bechler River Trail to the Continental Divide Trail, elevation 7900'

Hike 3.7 miles on the CDT to Lone Star (0A1), elevation 7640'

Camp at Lone Star (0A1), elevation 7640'

Lone Star Geyser is nearby and if you time it right (as we were lucky enough to do in 2019) you may catch it erupting in an impressive show

Miles today: 8.4. Total miles: 41.8

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Saturday, August 17, 2024

Hike 3.8 miles on the CDT to Old Faithful Geyser, elevation 7865'

Old Faithful will be mobbed with people, vehicles and buildings. After a week of solitude, this may jolt your senses.

Wait around until Old Faithful spouts

End of Hike

Miles today: 3.8. Total miles: 45.6

Possible bailout: Old Faithful

Shuttle back to Jackson Hole. Check back into local hotel

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

After body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, August 18, 2024

We will run one trip to the airport at around 5AM. If your flight is later in the day and you'd prefer to sleep in, you can order a shared cab/Uber to get you there at your own expense.


Back to top