Yellowstone National Park - Ranger Adventure Hike Descriptions: 2009 (U.S. National Park Service)

Hikes in the Old Faithful Area of Yellowstone National Park

SHOSHONE LAKE DISCOVERY

8:00 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays (June 13 - September 30)
Take a hike straight into the wilderness of Yellowstone. Follow DeLacy Creek to the pebbly shore of Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in the United States and a beautiful destination for this backcountry hike.

Area of Park: Between Old Faithful and West Thumb
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 5 hours
Round Trip Distance: 6 miles/ 9.6 km
Elevation Gain: 200 feet/ 60 meters
Terrain: Maintained trail
Type of Trail: Out and back
Sign up at the Old Faithful Visitor Center

LONE STAR STROLL

7:30 a.m. Thursdays (June 11 - Sept. 24)
Walk through cool forests along the scenic Firehole River and visit Lone Star Geyser, one of Yellowstone's hidden treasures, on this family activity. Lone Star is an active geyser with a massive geyser cone that erupts a sparkling jet of steaming water every few hours.

Area of Park: Old Faithful
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 4 ½ to 5 hours
Round Trip Distance: 4.8 miles/ 7.7 km
Elevation Gain: 40 feet/ 12 meters
Terrain: Partially paved road, also a bike path
Type of Trail: Out and back
Sign up at the Old Faithful Visitor Center

FAIRY FALLS FROLIC

7:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays (June 12 - September 29)
Ramble along the edge of a spectacular geyser basin and through a thriving young forest to Fairy Falls where water plunges 200 feet over a lava wall. Explore a backcountry hydrothermal area that includes Imperial Geyser.

Area of Park: Old Faithful
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 6.4 miles/ 10.3 km
Elevation Gain: 40 feet/ 12 meters
Terrain: Maintained trail
Type of Trail: Out and back
Sign up at Old Faithful Visitor Center

Hikes in the Northern Area of Yellowstone National Park

GEM of the ROCKIES

8:00 a.m. Sundays (June 14 - Aug. 30)
Garnet Hill lies at the heart Yellowstone's famed Northern Range, home to vast herds of wildlife and beautiful Rocky Mountain meadows. Hike through Pleasant Valley into the forest glen of Elk Creek and along the roaring Yellowstone River as we circle Garnet Hill on this "gem" of a loop trail.

Area of Park: Tower/Roosevelt
Difficulty: Moderate, but fairly long
Duration: 6 hours
Round Trip Distance: 7.5 miles/ 12 km
Elevation Gain: 300 feet/ 90 meters
Terrain: Stagecoach dirt road (1.5 miles) and maintained trail.
Type of Trail: Loop
Sign up at the Albright (Mammoth Visitor Center)

BEAVER PONDS RAMBLE

8:00 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays (June 10 - Aug. 31)
Join us for this diverse, lovely hike near Mammoth Hot Springs. Cool aspen groves, Douglas-fir woodlands and sunny meadows greet you as you walk the undulating terrain. Several tranquil ponds along the way hold the promise of some wildlife sightings, and the views of northern Yellowstone are spectacular.

Area of Park: Mammoth
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4.5 hours
Round Trip Distance: 5 miles/ 8 km Elevation Gain: 600 feet/ 186 meters Terrain: Hilly maintained trail Type of Trail: Loop Sign up at the Albright (Mammoth Visitor Center)

SCENIC SNOW PASS

8:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 11 - August 27)
This loop hike takes you through the strange, jumbled boulders of the Hoodoos and through shaded groves of aspen and Douglas-fir. Snow Pass, an early travel route used by a variety of wildlife holds an array of landforms and vegetation. Finally, you'll revel in the mountain scenery and seasonal wildflowers of the Gallatin Range as we explore this delightful and diverse corner of Yellowstone.

Area of Park: Mammoth
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 5 ½ - 6 hours
Round Trip Distance: 6.8 miles/ 10.9 km
Elevation Gain: 550 feet/ 170 meters
Terrain: Maintained trail. A brief portion of this trail has a sharp drop-off on one side. Hikers who are afraid of heights may be uncomfortable on a portion of this trail.
Type of Trail: Loop
Sign up at the Albright (Mammoth) Visitor Center

Hikes in the Lake/Fishing Bridge Area of Yellowstone National Park

AVALANCHE PEAK EXPERIENCE

8:00 a.m. Saturdays (July 11 - Aug. 29)
For a truly "breathtaking" encounter with the wild side of Yellowstone, make the steep ascent above timberline to the knife-edged summit of Avalanche Peak. Here, in the heart of the Absaroka Range, your efforts will be rewarded with one of the most stunning panoramic views of Yellowstone. Hikers should be in good physical condition!

Area of Park: Fishing Bridge/East Entrance
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: 6 hours
Round Trip Distance: 4 miles/ 6.4 km
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet/ 650 meters (10,566 foot elevation at the top)
Terrain: Maintained, steep trail
Type of Trail: Out and back
Sign up at Fishing Bridge Visitor Center

Hikes in the Canyon Area of Yellowstone National Park

HAYDEN VALLEY VENTURE

8:00 a.m. Fridays (July 10 - Aug. 28)
Hike beautiful grassy meadows filled with wildflowers and great views of Hayden Valley. This valley, the floor of an ancient glacial lake, is known for abundant waterfowl and other wildlife such as bison, elk, coyotes, and bears.

Area of Park: Canyon
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Round Trip Distance: 6 miles/ 9.6 km
Elevation Gain: 200 feet/ 60 meters
Terrain: Maintained trail. May include off-trail sections, muddy areas and standing water crossings.
Type of Trail: Out and back
Sign up at the Canyon Visitor Center