Best day hikes Yellowstone
 

Have 4 different books on Yellowstone and still can't decide where to hike. Considering Yellowstone River Picnic area trail and Hellroaring Trail. Would like to hear feedback from others about good hikes. My wife and daughter like to keep the under the 5 mile total. We will walk a couple of Geyser areas, Mammoth Springs, Paint Pots, Canyon Falls. But still considering for a couple of others. Thanks.

Fairy Falls trail -- walk further to Imperial Geyser. May appear longer than you want, but relatively flat trail. You could spend the better part of a day on the trails at Canyon. There is also Mud Volcano, West Thumb and Norris Basin.

Tower Falls - if it is open. Keep in mind that some (Fairy Falls comes to mind as well as some around West Thumb) that close at certain times of the year due to bear movement. It will be posted - just have a back-up plan!

Two short ones I've enjoyed were up Mount Washburn, where we saw Bighorn sheep, and DeLacy Creek, which follows a creek at the edge of a forest and a meadow to Shoshone Lake.

Bill

Last June we found the Lone Star Geyser trail to be interesting. A fairly flat, mostly paved trail along the Firehole river that ends (not really, it continues on to Shoshone lake) at Lone Start Geyser. Check at teh Old Faithful visitor center for expected eruption times. We went early one morning and timed it so we would see it erupt. Unlike the crowds at Old Faithful who gather to watch it's 3 to 5 minute display, there were only about 10 of us to watch Lone Star erupt for 20 minutes continuously. The round trip is about 5 miles, an easy morning stroll.

posting again hoping to revive this thread

Spirobulldog,

I'm no longer much of a hiker myself (too many knee surgeries) but I, too, would urge you and your family towards part of the Lone Star Geyser trail that rm_mn wrote about. It's also written about in the latest NG Adventurer magazine (p.80) as is the Specimen Ridge Trail in the Lamar Valley. I have lots of friends who rave about the trail up Mt. Washburn that Bill_H mentioned as well.

I suggest doing the Lone Star walk as well. The geyser erupts about every 3 hours in two stages. So don't be in a hurry to leave after the first burst.
The total walk from the parking area to the geyser is a little over two miles one way.

I also like Mt. Washburn on a clear day. You can approach from either side.

If you walk all the way from the Old Faithful Visitor Center to Morning Glory Pool via Daisey and Castle Geysers, and return via Riverside Geyser, Grand Geyser to Old Faithful, you will have walked quite a bit, too.

By the time you stir in the Paint Pots, the Norris Geyser Basin, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, and a few other sights, you will have logged quite a few miles.

We go on June 12. Getting really excited for our first trip to Yellowstone. hope the weather cooperates for the most part.

As a Backpacker when living in Billings my buddy and I avoided hiking and camping in June even though fishing was good. The ground will bein to thaw (Muddy), it may snow, rain is usually the norm. Even on a Day Hike be sure to layer clothing and have rain gear even if it's sunny when you start. Some trails may have streams to be forded and will be high and icy. My suggestion would be to consult a Ranger for advice when you get there. There will be lots of animals in the lower elevations. They are pretty smart! Have a good time.

Since you are going in early June, the recommended hikes will have to change. Last year we hiked Mt. Washburn on about June 10th. It isn't likely to happen this year as the snow will be pretty deep there yet. Check at the entrance if you have a specific hike you want to do that day. Otherwise, check at the visitor's centers about trails in their area to see what is open. The deep snow this year may also affect where the bears are congregated and different trails will be closed for bear management.