Wyoming $1,800 • August 26-31, 2012
Huge meadows, wild rivers, lakes, mountains, plateaus, thermal features and beautiful open forests of lodgepole pine characterize this trek that seems to have it all! Most of the mosquitoes are gone, there’s a tinge of frost in the air and bull elk are just beginning to bugle as the annual rut begins. Bear, wolf, moose, sandhill crane, and other wildlife species also abound. We usually have the opportunity to soak in hot springs, too. This is the quintessence of Yellowstone wilderness. We rate it moderate, and the trip base is Jackson, Wyoming.
We usually begin at the South Entrance, ending up at the Heart Lake trail-head. We’ll walk along and across the winding upper Snake River, and we always spend one or two nights at beautiful Heart Lake. We may also have the opportunity, weather permitting, to day-hike to spectacular views at the summit of Mt. Sheridan.
TRIP BASE: Antler Motel, 43 W. Pearl, Jackson, WY; 800-522-2406 or 307-733-2535.
MEETING TIME: Pre-trip orientation including food and gear handout plus safety talk at 6 PM the evening prior to day one; meet in Antler Motel lobby.
TRANSPORTATION: Air service to Jackson Hole, taxi to motel available upon arrival. Alternative: Fly to Salt Lake or Bozeman, MT or Idaho Falls, ID and rent car. For shuttle between Salt Lake/Idaho Falls and Jackson call 800-443-6133 or 307-733-1719 (Jackson Hole Express). Please make flight reservations promptly because flights to Jackson fill quickly.
TRIP RATING: Moderate. Most of the route is on well-maintained trails, and the terrain is a pleasant mix of gently rolling forest and meadow. Daily mileage varies from 6-9, there’ll be at least one layover; total mileage (not including day-hikes) is about 30.
ELEVATIONS: 6,800-8,200 FEET. Maximum one-day elevation gain with backpack is about 800 feet. An optional day hike (weather permitting) to the top of Mt. Sheridan or another near-by 10,000-foot peak includes a 2,500-3,000 foot elevation gain.
WEATHER: Late summer is usually pleasant, but early autumn storms are not unheard of at the end of August. Be prepared! Brief thunderstorms are common; clear nights typically are frosty.
FISHING: You can fish in the Snake River or in Heart Lake. A Yellowstone fishing permit can be secured at the ranger station we’ll visit right before we hit the trail.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Spectacular meadows, bull elk may be beginning to rut and bugle, possible wolf music and generally lots of wildlife viewing and activity. Spectacular Heart Lake. Bathe in natural hot springs! The real Yellowstone at its best!
SPECIAL TIPS: This is grizzly country; so leave deodorants and other sweet-smelling substances behind. Be prepared for a few river fords.
STATUS: So far, Congress has failed to designate the Yellowstone backcountry as Wilderness.
ITINERARY: The trailhead, near the South Entrance, is about 1.5 hours driving time from Jackson. A day one vehicle shuttle to the trailhead where the trip ends will take about an hour. All of our routes are loops, and campsites are reserved in advance for our exclusive use. There will be one or two layover days.
Please Note: Because we are flexible and vary the route depending upon conditions, mileages and elevations are approximate, not exact.
