Off the beaten path in Yellowstone
 

DH and I've been to Yellowstone several times over the last 30 years. We usually do the main things, and I was wondering what special things that were kind of out of the ordinary that you've done in Yellowstone. Any waterfall hikes other than Canyon and Tower Falls?

Utahtea

I've heard there's a really cool, intermittent upside-down waterfall that most people don't know about. It's called Old Faithful or something like that. :)

Ok, but seriously, I've only been there once when I was a kid so I don't know any out of the ordinary places. But, I did find a couple websites that list a bunch of waterfalls in the park, and it looks like some of them are out of the way. It could be pretty fun hiking to some of them.

http://tinyurl.com/q35bp
http://tinyurl.com/psslx

TheWeasel,

HaHa...:-)) very funny on the upside down waterfall!

((y)) Thanks for the links. They look really good!

Utahtea

Try an Elderhostel trip there!

Hey Utahtea,
When are you going to Yellowstone/Tetons? We're also headed there in early Sept. It's my first time there although Peter was there as a kid. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

On my last visit we swam in the Firehole River (warmed by thermal activity). It was really fun!! We asked an employee at Old Faithful Inn if it was still allowed and he told us how to find the spot. There were a satellite bathroom and wooden sters down to the river, so I know it was "an approved activity." As I was floating I looked up and there was a huge bull elk on the cliff above looking down at us. Only in Yellowstone!! Have a great time!!

sharondi,

We will be there early June. I want to get there before the summer crowds.

Utahtea

Utahtea, Have you ever been in the winter?

Yes, I highly recommed the Firehole. Be careful if the water is high... was there with friend who is not a strong swimmer a few years back, he had trouble with the current. The park service closed it to swimming the next day. Also, my favorite is the Boiling River Hot Springs on the Gardiner River btwn Gardiner and Mammoth. Heading south from Gardiner towards Mammoth there is a parking lot with a restroom on the left side of the road. If you pass the campground at Mammouth, you have gone too far. A trail will lead you to a great little swimming area on the river... the water is almost hot from the hot spring runoff. This is a little known local favorites spot that is often closed when the river is high. It is an experience unique to Yellowstone to soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by such natural beauty... look for elk here too.

Boiling River (search here - I have raved about it way too often).

Drive thru some areas at dawn - difference in air temperature between cool AM air and hot springs causes there to be visually fascinating fog spots thru early AM sun. Also may see animals close by before they get scared off by people. Good time for moose.

I know you RV, but stop in Gardiner or West Yellowstone some time when shops are not busy and chat with locals. Heard some great stories about animals strolling streets of Gardiner in winter, for example.

Catbert,

No, we have never been in winter but I would ((l)) to do that some time! We would probably do that without the RV.

Utahtea

As a big fan of the park, you really would love it. We were there this winter and took a snowcoach tour. I couldn't believe how much wildlife we saw. It was so beautiful. By the time the tour was over we were just wishing the bison would move on so we could continue on our way!

Calbert,

I have two dream vacations and they aren't the usual like Hawaii and Europe, for me they are a week on a houseboat on Lake Powell and the other is a snocoach trip into Yellowstone in the winter....hopefully...someday!

Utahtea

Utahtea, I agree with Gail, get up early at least 1 day on your trip to see the wildlife. We were there summer before last and got up one morning by 5 am. Pack warm clothes, even in August it was in the low 30's at 5 am. Very cool walking to the showers at the campground. Getting on the road early we saw an entire heard of elk virtually on the road, very close. We also saw moose standing in a nearby pond with misty fog around, very majestic.

Our favorite hike was the Clear Lake trail in the Canyon area. About 3 - 4 miles. Starts in a meadow, goes through bubbling thermals and mud pots, along clear lake, very wooded, and finally out to the canyon, artists point and the falls. This trail has a little bit of everything.

Have a great time!

Sweetsailing,

Our shower is just a couple of steps from our bed! \:D/

Thanks for the heads up on the Clear Lake hiking trail.

We tend to get up early on vacations...but don't know if 5 AM will be possible...LOL! We like to travel at dusk and see the wildlife. The last time we were there, DH was complaining that he hadn't seen any...we had only been there half a day...good Grief...well it wasn't to long after that we saw bison, grizzly bear (our first in Yellowstone!), elk and bald eagle. I think that's the most wild life we've seen in such a short period of time!

Utahtea

Oh my god! You guys are getting me so excited about our Sept trip to Yellowstone. I've been to most of our nat'l parks - except for Yellowstone - our first nat'l park! Please keep the info coming. And thanks so much! Sharon

The hike to the top of Mt. Washburn (over 10,000 ft) is long, but very pretty when you get above the tree line. (I hope I have the right mountain name, it has been a long time).

Had a great time on a ranger-led hike to standing petrified trees on a ridge. Beautiful area - something I'd never seen before - and a great way to see a section of the park most don't get to see. Check out the park newspaper for info.

starrsville,

We've been to the petrified tree....but that was YEARS ago! Might have to check it out again.

Utahtea

The hike up Mt Washburn is an easy 2 mile hike the grade is not steep at all. On a clear day you can see the Tetons. Great place to see bears as well.