YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK  by Yellowstone Net

 Hiking in Yellowstone
 Mammoth Area

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Yellowstone National Park Hiking Index


 

 


MAMMOTH AREA

The following is a brief rundown of some of the main day hiking trails in the Lake area. More complete descriptions of individual trails are available from the Yellowstone National Park Hiking Index.

Beaver Ponds Loop Trail
This moderate 5 mile loop trail is a favorite in the Mammoth area.  Wildlife and wildflowers are abundant early in the season, and the trail offers good views of the surrounding area.  More information.

Bunsen Peak Trail
This gradual 1,300 foot climb to the summit of Bunsen Peak provides a panoramic view of the Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flats, Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone River Valley. More information.

Osprey Falls Trail
The 8 miles round trip Osprey Falls trail veers off an old road bed and follows the rim of Sheepeater Canyon before descending in a series of switchbacks to the bottom of Sheepeater Canyon. The Gardner River plunges over a 150-foot drop, forming Osprey Falls. Vertical cliffs rise 500 feet above you, making it one of the deepest canyons in Yellowstone.  More information.

Lava Creek Trail
This 3.5 mile one way trail follows Lava Creek downstream past Undine Falls (50 feet), descending gradually. Lava Creek meets the Gardner River farther downstream. The trail crosses a foot bridge on the Gardner River, and there is one final ascent to a pullout on the North Entrance Road just north of the Mammoth Campground.  The trailhead is located at the bridge at Lava Creek picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road

Rescue Creek Trail
This 8 mile roundtrip trail follows the Blacktail Deer Creek trail for the first 3/4 mile until meeting Rescue Creek trail. The trail climbs gradually through aspens and open meadows before beginning a 1,400 foot descent to the Gardner River. The trail crosses a foot bridge over the river and ends one mile south of the North Entrance Station.  The trailhead is seven miles east of Mammoth.

Sepulcher Mountain Trail
This trail follows the Beaver Ponds Trail to the Sepulcher Mountain Trail junction. This trail rises 3,400 feet through pine trees and open meadows until the 9,652 foot summit of Sepulcher is reached. To complete the loop, continue along the opposite side of the mountain through a broad open slope to the junction of the Snow Pass Trail. Continue down until you reach the junction with the Howard Eaton Trail. This will lead you west of the Mammoth Terraces and back to your original trailhead.

Wraith Falls
A short, easy hike through open sagebrush and Douglas-fir forest to the foot of Wraith Falls cascade on Lupine Creek.  More information.

Blacktail Deer Creek-Yellowstone River Trail
This trail follows Blacktail Deer Creek as it descends 1,100 feet through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir where it reaches the Yellowstone River. The trail continues across the Yellowstone River on a steel suspension bridge and joins the Yellowstone River Trail. The trail continues downriver, passing Knowles Falls and into arid terrain until it ends in Gardiner, Montana.  The trail is 12.5 miles one way, and begins seven miles east of Mammoth.

Backcountry Hiking Information

Park Regulations

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone Net is Produced by Bruce Gourley, Russ Finley,  & Tim Gourley.
Copyright 1997-2005 by Bruce Gourley.