Wyoming Backpacking

NORTHEAST YELLOWSTONE'S WOLF COUNTRY
Wyoming/Montana $1,600 • June 29-July 3, 2009

This trip will be near the Lamar River Valley, site of the Yellowstone wolf reintroductions and still an area of frequent wolf activity. There is a chance that we’ll see wolves and good odds that we’ll hear their howls. Other wildlife is also abundant, including elk, bison, raptors, grizzly, and more. The landscape is big and gorgeous, with spectacular snow-covered peaks rising above a rich mix of woods and meadow, in a beautiful mountain and river valley. Early summer wildflower blooms will be erupting in this great chunk of Yellowstone wilderness. We rate this trip moderately easy, and its base is Gardiner, Montana.

YELLOWSTONE'S REMOTE CORNER THROUGH HIKE
Wyoming: $2200 • August 12-21, 2009

The southeast corner of Yellowstone near the mouth of the Thorofare River is the most distant point from a road in the lower 48 states. Halfway through this hike we'll be there! This 75-80 mile odyssey begins near the park's south entrance and ends on the Shoshone River's North Fork west of Cody, Wyoming. Late in the trip we'll cross the mighty Absaroka Range and enter the Washakie Wilderness Area, which abuts the park. Because we'll be covering roughly 8-12 miles each day with one layover, participants must travel light (bare bones!) and have good stamina. This trip has it all: vistas galore, verdant woods and wildflower meadows, huge mountain river valleys, blue lakes and sky-scraping peaks plus virtually all of Yellowstone's native wildlife. Be prepared for any kind of weather, and though most of the terrain is fairly gentle, we rate this trip strenuous because of mileages and remoteness. Its base is Gardiner, Montana.

BIG VISTAS OF THE WILD ABSAROKAS
Wyoming $1,700 • August 24-29, 2009

Northeast of Jackson Hole and adjacent to Yellowstone is a huge wilderness of towering volcanic mountains topped by rolling expanses of alpine tundra, rugged peaks, thick forests, waterfalls, lakes, deep canyons, and huge meadows punctuated by colorful blooms of late summer wildflowers. Wildlife is abundant and includes nearly all species indigenous to the Greater Yellowstone region, including elk, bighorn, moose, wolf, and bear (black and grizzly). The scenery is awesome and unusual. This is a fairly strenuous high-altitude trip in one of the largest wild areas in the lower 48 states. It is a real alpine adventure with much of the route off-trail and above tree line. Trip base: Jackson, Wyoming.

SOUTHWEST YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WATERFALL WONDERLAND
Wyoming $1,800 • September 13-19, 2009

This trip has it all: the huge Bechler Meadows, lush old-growth forests, rivers and big mountain views, rolling pine-covered plateaus, hot springs soaking, the largest wilderness lake in the contiguous U.S., and the greatest array of big waterfalls you’ve ever seen! The mosquitos are gone, there’s a tinge of frost in the air, fall colors are exploding, and the spine-tingling bugle of bull elk in the rut are just a few of the wonders of early autumn in the high country. Nearly all of Yellowstone’s varied wildlife thrive here. The topography is relatively gentle, but prepare for any kind of weather! We rate this trip as moderate and its base is Jackson, Wyoming.

GRAND TETONS ALPINE MAGIC
Wyoming $1,600 • August 3-7, 2009

The Grand Tetons may be the most spectacular mountain range in the West, and we’ll explore the wild heart of this famous realm of sky-scraping peaks, snowfields, unbelievable wildflower blooms, lush forests, roaring streams and alpine lakes. Our routes are primarily within the verdant and wild Jedadiah Smith Wilderness, the west slope of the Tetons, which borders Grand Teton National Park. Moose, bighorn sheep, marmot, pika, bear and other native species thrive here. The rugged high mountain scenery and views are unsurpassed! With plenty of ups and downs but moderate mileage, this trip is moderate and its base is Jackson, Wyoming.

Scheduled Trips 2009
Below, we've listed our trips by region. Trips listed under Yellowstone Backpacking are also listed under the state in which they occur. You'll find complete information on each trip by clicking on the regional heading above each section.

For a chronological list of our adventures, click here.

NOTE: Our Death Valley and Gila wilderness trips are offered only in odd numbered years. In even numbered years, our spring backpack trips are the Escalante Canyons and Grand Staircase backcountry areas of southern Utah.

List prices include our complete gear package and there is a $200 discount if you bring your own (see equipment list and/or questionnaire for details). Also, we offer a $100 discount for the second trip in a calendar year. Scheduled trips are for persons ages 16 and over. Exceptions to the age requirement will be made by us on a case-by-case basis.