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Yellowstone National Park, WY

Two Week Trip

Jul 25 - Aug 6, 2021 -- $1950 ★★★★

Words fall short in attempting to describe the magnitude of Yellowstone National Park -- a premier destination you should visit with us. Just Google it, and you will be overwhelmed by videos, websites and images about the Park, its geysers, grizzly bears, thundering rivers, big skies and ubiquitous bison.


Our past visits to Yellowstone have traversed the Northeast (Lamar), Southeast (Thorofare) and Southwest (Bechler) sections of the park. This year for the first time, we will explore the Northwest quadrant of the park.


Our trek begins at the Dailey Creek Trailhead in Montana at the most North and West boundary of the park.. We will hike Eastward along the mountainous border of the Gallatin National Forest for several days until we reach Mammoth Hot Springs, a frontcountry village. Here, we'll be able to take a hot shower and get frontcountry delicacies like ice cream. The next day we'll turn back West and start working our way back to Montana having traversed over 80 miles through the wilderness.


Here is a topographic map of our proposed route.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s & 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. While there is typically not much rain, it can happen at any time along with violent thunder and lightning. There was a hailstorm in 2019 on the first night, but the rest of the trip was magnificent. Here is the historical August weather.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Rick Romine


Cost

$1950 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bozeman, personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, backcountry fees, 10 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park Permits, National Park entrance fees, Backcountry permits, campground fees and 2 awesome guides.



Difficulty

The trails through Yellowstone National Park are typically well groomed with good footing and moderate elevation gain and loss (although it may not seem like that while hiking). The mileages are moderate and there will be plenty of daylight which gives us plenty of time to complete our daily mileage and relax in camp.


Please be aware that we will have to ford rivers (some cold and/or deep), so make sure to bring sturdy camp shoes and trekking poles to help you cross these rivers without issue. Crocs can work but are not recommended for this particular trip.



Important Notes


This trip will NOT visit Old Faithful, sorry. While certainly a popular attraction, it is far away from our route, even by vehicle.


Because of the limited availability and high cost of hotel rooms in Bozeman, a single supplement is not available for this trip. You will be sharing a hotel room with 1 or 2 others. You may of course book your own room and we will issue you a small refund.


If you would like to fish, there will probably be time at some campsites to do so. However, you must purchase a Yellowstone fishing license from the ranger station (Wyoming / Montana license not necessary). Fitpacking does not have a fishing guide permit so you will be doing so on your own and at your own risk (we have to say this).


Fitpacking prohibits firearms on this (and all) trips. This is not only our requirement but also a requirement of Yellowstone National Park. However, you may bring bear spray (pepper spray) as there are both black bears and grizzly bears in the park. You will not be able to fly with bear spray however. You can buy or rent it in Bozeman


Fitpacking has a commercial permit to operate in Yellowstone National Park.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, July 25, 2021

Drive or fly into Bozeman, MT Airport (BZM). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, flights are limited so do the best you can.

In order to get ground transportation to our local hotel (La Quinta Inn & Suites Belgrade - Bozeman Airport, 6445 Jackrabbit Ln, Belgrade, MT 59714, 406-388-2222) they must be notified 12 hours prior to your arrival to ensure pick-up. Not sure why, but that's just their rules. Before the trip, we will see when people plan to arrive and hopefully they can consolidate trips.

Equipment shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Body temperature taken to mitigate Covid risk

Trail mix distribution, Covid permitting

Go to REI Bozeman, Stoneridge Square, 2220 Tschache St, Bozeman, MT 59718, (406) 587-1938 for last minute or forgotten equipment. Open until 6PM. Please note, there should also be other fine options in town to buy or rent gear.

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



Monday, July 26, 2021

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Body temperature taken to mitigate Covid risk

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

Either free Hotel Breakfast or we will provide a continental breakfast

Shuttle to Yellowstone National Park (about 1.5 hours)

Shuttle to Dailey Creek, Trailhead WK1, along MT-191, elevation 6750'.

Begin Hiking, elevation 6750'.

Hike 1.8 miles on the Dailey Creek Trail to the Black Butte - Dailey Creek Cutoff, elevation 7050'

Turn right and hike 2.2 uphill miles on the Black Butte - Dailey Creek Cutoff Trail to the Black Butte Trail, elevation 7425'

Turn left and hike 0.2 miles on the Black Butte Trail to campsite WF1, elevation 7450'

Camp at campsite WF1 (Black Butte Creek), elevation 7450'

Miles today: 4.2. Total miles: 4.2

Possible Bailout: MT-191.


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Hike 0.1 mile back to the Black Butte Trail, elevation 7450'

Hike 1.1 upstream miles on the Black Butte Trail, to Black Butte Creek, elevation 7925'

Hike 2.9 grueling uphill miles on the Black Butte Trail, to Sky Rim, elevation 9875'

Hike 2.9 top-of-the-world, ridgeline miles over Bighorn Peak on the Sky Rim Trail, to the Specimen Creek Trail, elevation 9300'

Hike 0.4 miles on the Specimen Creek Trail to Shelf Lake, elevation 9150'

Camp at 2 campsites WE5 & WE7 (Shelf Lake), elevation 9150'.

Miles today: 7.4. Total miles: 11.6

Possible bailout: Black Butte Trailhead


Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Hike 0.1 miles on the Specimen Creek Trail, elevation 9175'.

Hike 1.9 miles on the Specimen Creek Trailto the Crescent Lake - High Lake Trail, elevation 7775'.

Hike 5.9 miles on the Crescent Lake - High Lake Trail over 9400' back down to High Lake, elevation 8775'.

Camp at Campsite WD4 (High Lake), elevation 8775'

Miles today: 7.9. Total miles: 19.5

Possible bailout: Shooting Star Trail Forest Road.


Thursday, July 29, 2021

Hike 3.4 miles on the Specimen Creek Trail to the Sportsman Lake Trail, elevation 8074'.

Hike 4.5 miles on the Sportsman Lake trail to campsite WD3, elevation 7700'.

Camp at Campsite WD3 (Sportsman Lake), elevation 7700'

Miles today: 7.9. Total miles: 27.4

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Friday, July 30, 2021

Hike 0.3 miles to the Sportsman Lake Trail, elevation 7700'

Hike 6.5 miles up and over 9825' on the Sportsman Lake Trail to Campsite 1G3, elevation 8000'

Camp at campsite 1G3 (Gardner River), elevation 8000'

Miles today: 6.8. Total miles: 34.2

Possible bailout: 1 day away.

10968'


Saturday, July 31, 2021

Hike 0.4 miles on the Sportsman Lake Trail to the Electric Peak Southeast Ridge Trail, elevation 8075'

Hike 3.0 miles on the Sportsman Lake Trail to the Sepulcher Mountain Trail, elevation 7600'

Hike 6.7 miles on the Sepulcher Mountain Trail over the summit of Sepulchur Mountain (9642') into Mammoth Frontcountry Area, elevation 6280'

Hike 0.9 miles to Mammoth Frontcountry Campground with showers and flush toilets, elevation 6025'

There are hot springs nearby! (You can't enter most of them but it may be possible to swim in hot spring fed rivers Covid permitting)

Camp at Mammoth Frontcountry Campground, sites 78 & 80, elevation 6025'

Mammoth may be packed with people. There are numerous frontcountry distractions including flush toilets, visitor's center, gift shop, restaurants, take out and throngs of people.

Miles today: 11.0. Total miles: 45.2

Possible bailout: Mammoth


Sunday, August 1, 2021

Hike 1.6 miles on the Sepulcher Mountain Trail to the Howard Eaton Mammoth Golden Gate Trail, elevation 6375'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Howard Eaton Mammoth Golden Gate Trail to the Snow Pass Trail, elevation 6875'

Hike 2.1 miles on the Snow Pass Trail to the Fawn Pass Trail, elevation 7400'

Hike 3.4 miles on the Fawn Pass Trail to campsite 1F2 (Fawn Lake), elevation 7800'

Camp at campsite 1F2 (Fawn Lake), elevation 7800'

Miles today: 8.1. Total miles: 53.3

Possible bailout: Mammoth


Monday, August 2, 2021

Hike 10.3 miles on the Fawn Pass Trail up and over 9160' to the Fawn Pass Bighorn Pass cutoff Trail, elevation 7825'

Hike 0.9 miles on the Fawn Pass Bighorn Pass Cutoff Trail to the Bighorn Pass Trail, elevation 7425'

Hike 0.1 miles on the Bighorn Pass Trail to Campsite WB1, elevation 7425'

Camp at Campsite WB1 (Gallatin River), elevation 7425'

Miles today: 11.3. Total miles: 64.6

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Hike 1.0 miles on the Fawn Pass Bighorn Pass Cutoff Trail to the Fawn Pass Trail, elevation 7825'

Hike 3.6 miles on the Fawn Pass Trail to the Fawn Creek Trail, elevation 7250'

Hike 1.6 miles on the Fawn Creek Trail to Campsite WC2, elevation 7325'

Camp at campsite WC2 (Fan Creek) elevation 7325'

Miles today: 6.2. Total miles: 70.8

Possible bailout: Fawn Creek Trailhead


Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Hike 5.1 miles on the Fawn Creek Trail to the Sportsman Lake Trail, elevation 7875'.

Hike 5.7 miles on the Sportsman Lake Trail to the Specimen Creek Trail, elevation 7150'.

Hike 0.1 miles on the Specimen Creek Trail to campsite WE1, elevation 7150'.

Camp at campsite WE1 (Specimen Creek Junction) elevation 7150'

Miles today: 10.9. Total miles: 81.7

Possible bailout: Specimen Creek Trailhead


Thursday, August 5, 2021

Hike 2.0 miles on the Specimen Creek Trail to Specimen Creek Trailhead WK3, elevation 6900'

Miles today: 2.0. Total miles: 83.7

End of hiking

Shuttle back to Bozeman. Check back into local hotel La Quinta Inn & Suites Belgrade - Bozeman Airport, 6445 Jackrabbit Ln, Belgrade, MT 59714, 406-388-2222

Your stuff will either be here or be transported here shortly after we arrive

After measurements taken

Dinner (not included in trip cost) and awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Friday, August 6, 2021

Take free airport shuttle to the airport.


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