Yellowstone Backpacking

NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE AND WILDFLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA
Montana / Wyoming $1,700 • June 15-21, 2008

Springtime in the Rockies is a magical season, especially in this land of big valleys and rolling hills beneath the still snow-covered Absaroka and Beartooth mountain ranges. The spectacular Black Canyon of the Yellowstone is here and this is a super trip for viewing wildlife; deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, and bison are usually seen and we may also glimpse coyote, bear (black and grizzly), bighorn, beaver, gray wolf, bald eagle, and other species. There’s lots of time for day hikes in this green paradise of extensive forest, big meadows of grass and sagebrush, and spectacular blooms of spring wildflowers. This moderate trip is based out of Gardiner, Montana.

NORTHEAST YELLOWSTONE'S WOLF COUNTRY
Wyoming/Montana $1,500 • June 23-27, 2008

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 HIGH, WIDE & WILD GALLATIN RANGE
Montana / Wyoming $1,600 • July 13-18, 2008

The northwest corner of Yellowstone is a little-known mountain wilderness of high peaks, wide-open vistas, deep lush woods, beautiful verdant meadows, icy lakes, and clear mountain streams. Big populations of elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, plus black and grizzly bear thrive here, and opportunities to view wildlife are excellent. Mid-summer wildflower blooms are spectacular. Although our route will traverse high ridges thrusting into alpine vastness, the trails are well-maintained and gradients are moderate. We rate this trip moderate to fairly strenuous, and its base is Bozeman, Montana.

YELLOWSTONE'S REMOTE CORNER THROUGH HIKE
Wyoming: $2000 • August 13-22, 2008

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. Half-way through this hike we'll be there! This 75-80 mile exclusive (limited to 6 guests) 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.

SOUTHWEST YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WATERFALL WONDERLAND
Wyoming $1,700 • September 14-20, 2008

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! Because this corner of Yellowstone is particularly well-watered, its vegetation -- especially in the spectacular Bechler Canyon and Bechler Meadows -- is unusually rich for the Yellowstone region. Fall colors will be spectacular, and 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.

Scheduled Trips 2008
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.

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.