Yellowstone National Park, WY

Drive or fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Text or Call us and we will pick you up at the airport and bring you to The Flat Creek Inn, 1935 N. HWY. 89/26, Jackson, WY 83001, 307-733-5276

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" measurements taken

Go to Teton Mountaineering, 170 N Cache Dr, Jackson, WY 83001, (307) 733-3595 for last minute or forgotten equipment. Please note, there are several other fine options in town to buy or rent gear.

Go out for a group dinner (not included in trip cost)

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Before checking out of the Flat Creek Inn, make a reservation for your free return shuttle to the airport. They require 24 hours notice and this is the last time we'll be able to notify them outside the 24 hour window.

Shuttle to Yellowstone National Park (about 1.5 hours)

Guides make continental breakfast along the way

Pickup backcountry permits at Ranger Station at the Park Entrance

Shuttle to Old Faithful Geyser. Tour around the area / eat lunch until geyser does its thing.

Shuttle to Grand Loop Road, one mile south of Midway Geyser

Begin Day-Hiking, elevation 7500'.

Day-Hike 1.0 miles the Fairy Falls Trail

Day-Hike 0.9 miles the Feather Lake

Day-Hike 2.1 miles on the Fairy Creek Trail to Spray Geyser / Imperial Geyser, which sprays regularly

Day-Hike 0.6 miles to Fairy Falls

Day-Hike 2.2 miles back to the vehicle(s)

Shuttle to Canyon Frontcountry Campground

Camp at Canyon Frontcountry Campground either in Hiker / Biker site, group site or individual sites (Site numbers TBD)

Miles today: 6.8. Total miles: 6.8

Hike 2.0 miles along Grand Loop Road to the Wapiti Lake Trailhead (4K7), elevation 7800'

Hike 3.3 miles on the Ribbon Lake Trail to Ribbon Lake, elevation 7700'

Camp at Ribbon Lake Campsite 4R2 (if group size is 8 or less otherwise the group splits between Campsites 4R1 & 4R2), elevation 7700'.

Miles today: 5.3. Total miles: 12.1

Possible bailout: Grand Loop Road

Hike 1.3 miles to the Wapiti Lake Trail

Hike 4.9 miles on the Wapiti Lake Trail to Moss Creek

Camp at Campsite 4M2, elevation 8500'.

Miles today: 6.2. Total miles: 18.3

Possible bailout: Grand Loop Road

Hike 4.5 miles on the Wapiti Lake Trail to the Fern Lake Trail

Hike 1.7 miles on the Wapiti Lake Trail to Broad Creek

Camp at Campsite 4B3, elevation 8000'.

Miles today: 6.2. Total miles: 24.5

Possible bailout: Very far, no good options

Hike 0.7 miles on the Wapiti Lake Trail to the Astringent Creek Trail

Hike 1.0 miles on the Wapiti Lake Trail to Wapiti Lake

Hike 3.7 miles on the Pelican Creek Trail to the Fern Lake Patrol Cabin (nice place for lunch)

Hike 1.1 miles to the Astringent Creek Trail to Fern Lake Trail intersection

Hike 0.7 miles on the Astringent Creek Trail

Camp at Campsite 5B1, elevation 8250'.

Miles today: 7.2. Total miles: 31.7

Possible bailout: Very far, no good options

Today will be by far the most challenging day of the trip. The day's mileage is long and towards the end of the day after having hiked well over 10 miles through the Mirror Plateau Bear Management Area and Pelican Valley Bear Management Area, we are subjected to an 800' ascent followed by an 800' descent. We will also ford Pelican Creek and Raven Creek as well as pass through various thermal areas.

Hike 1.8 miles back to the Pelican Creek Trail

Hike 5.7 miles on the Pelican Creek Trail to the Pelican Cone Trail. Most of this trail is located in the Mirror Plateau Bear Management Area, passing several thermal features and requiring fords of Pelican Creek.

Hike 0.4 miles to the Raven Creek Cutoff Trail, all within the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area

Hike 1.7 miles on the Raven Creek Cutoff Trail to a thermal area on the Pelican Valley Trail

Hike 0.4 miles to Pelican Springs

Hike 3.1 miles on the Mist Creek Trail to Campsite 3T3. These 3.1 miles include an unforgettable (translation: difficult) 800' ascent over Mist Creek Pass and an 800' descent down the other side.

Hike 0.9 flat but possibly swampy miles to Campsite 3T2

Camp at Campsite 3T2, elevation 7900'.

Miles today: 14.0. Total miles: 45.7

Possible bailout: Pelican Valley Trailhead

Hike 5.7 miles on the Mist Creek Trail to the Lamar River

Ford the Lamar River which may be deep and fast running

Hike 2.3 mile on the Lamar River Trail to Campsite 3U2

Camp at Campsite 3U2, elevation 7300'.

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 53.7

Possible bailout: Very distant, no good options

Hike 5.3 miles on the Lamar River Trail

Ford Miller Creek

Hike 1.1 miles on the Lamar River Trail to Calfee Creek Patrol Cabin

Hike 2.3 miles on the Lamar River Trail to campsite 3L4

Camp at Campsite 3L4, elevation 7100'.

Miles today: 8.7. Total miles: 62.4

Possible bailout: Very distant, no good options

Hike 2.5 miles on the Lamar River Trail to the Cache Creek Trail. Ford Cache Creek along the way.

Hike 5.5 on the Cache Creek Trail miles to Campsite 3C2

Camp at Campsite 3C2, elevation 7200'

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 70.4

Possible bailout: Soda Butte Trailhead

Hike 6.0 miles on the Cache Creek Trail to Campsite 3C4

Camp at Campsite 3C4, elevation 7900'

Miles today: 6.0. Total miles: 76.4

Possible bailout: Thunderer Trailhead

Hike 1.0 miles on the Cache Creek Trail to the Thunderer Cutoff Trail

Hike 4.9 miles up and over The Thunderer (9000') on the Thunderer Cutoff Trail to the Thunderer Trailhead, elevation 7100'

Miles today: 5.9. Total miles: 82.3

Possible bailout: Thunderer Trailhead

End of hiking

Shuttle back to Jackson Hole. Check into The Flat Creek Inn, 1935 N. HWY. 89/26, Jackson, WY 83001, 307-733-5276

Your stuff will be transported here shortly after we arrive and check in

After measurements taken

Go out to dinner (not included in trip cost) and awards Ceremony

Take free airport shuttle that you reserved 10 days ago. Most flights leave Jackson Hole by 8AM.