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.

Some good ones I can vouch for...Fairy Falls and Mystic Falls in the Old Faithful Area, and Osprey Falls in the Mammoth Area. Fairy Falls and Mystic aren't terribly difficult hikes, but you'll have decent solitude even though you're close to the Old Faithful area. Osprey is a bit more daunting...you hike down into Sheepeater Canyon (about 500 vertical foot drop), and that's after hiking in about 2 miles from the main road. However, you'll have few others on the trail, and the falls are quite spectacular at the head of the canyon.

Not really off the beaten path but drive the Lamar Valley early morning or evening. Good chance to see a Griz or even a wolf. A spotting scope will help. We were lucky enough to see 9 bears between Roosevelt Junction and the Pebble Creek CG last year. If you are willing to dry camp the NF CG (Soda Butte) three miles east of Cooke City is good for the night if you are planning to do the Bear Tooth or Chief Joseph Highway.

My favorite is the hike to Lone Star Geyser, which erupts about every 3 hours in two stages. (Don't leave after the first spurt cycle.)

The walk is beautiful as it follows the upper Firehole River, which is crystal clear, and in general passes through unburned areas.

Take your lunch, find a soft spot on the pine needles, and veg out until the geyser erupts. Usually enough people are there to see it to wake you up if you fall asleep.

You can also wade in the Firehole and walk even more if you so desire. The trail is suitable for bicycles as far as the geyser.

utahtea,

So glad to be able to return the favor and give you advice for a change, you've helped us so much. (Just got back from our trip. Fantastic! Plan to begin posting our trip report this weekend. Thanks again.)

Anyway, I second sweetsailings comments about the Clear Lake hike although we did it in reverse. Started at Uncle Tom's and walked the rim trail to Artist Point, then past the lakes, mud pots, meadow, back to the Uncle Tom parking lot. Great hike. Saw no one else once we left Artist Point and this was in August.

Also, if you can, get to Norris Geyser Basin before sunrise. Again, we had the whole place to ourselves. As you know, the basin is below the trailhead so the cool morning air and the hot geysers add up to a basin all but invisible from above. You sit there in the still and listen to the geysers. Whirlygig is easily identified. It's just very surreal. Then you head down the trail and things clear a bit, but the mist still swirls, sometimes thin, other times almost impossible to see through at all. Gives a whole different feel to the area. And be sure to wait around for Echinas to erupt. We enjoyed it so much we went back another day and waited for the pool to do it's thing.

I know you'll have a great trip. Our dream is go in the winter sometime.

Fran

floridafran,
So glad to hear you had a great trip! Looking forward to your trip report. We are also headed to Yellowstone this fall - any tips are greatly appreciated. Sharon

Bob already gave you the best advice about Lone Star Geyser - don't leave after the first "eruption" - many people do and miss the show. This hike is a MUST in my book. Go early, and you'll be there all by yourself.

Another must - the Fairy Falls trail. The falls are spectacular and, again, if you go at the right time you'll have them all to yourself. Some interesting thermal activity along the trail just past the falls as well.

Both of these hikes are very easy.

I made a website after our trip, which has pictures of places I just mentioned:
http://members.aol.com/john127pics/index.html

John

I've printed out everyone's suggestions. Thanks you all so much! Even though this is our 8th visit...I'm so EXCITED! \:D/

John,

Fantastic pictures...thanks for sharing.

Utahtea

John127,
Thanks for the great pictures! Please pass along all your tips on hikes. I really appreciate it - we're always looking for places off the beaten path.