Hit The Trail... Short Hikes that are Long On Beauty & Serenity
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By Rebecca Woods
 Don't be offended if a local tells you to "hit the trail": it's friendly advice. Many of the region's wonders are hidden from the highways and can be accessed only on foot. Over 4,000 miles of trail lead to the bottom of canyons, climb mountaintops, follow river and lake shores, and pause at thundering waterfalls contained within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's 14 million acres of public land. The terrain varies from toddler-gentle to technical climbing-extreme, with every grade and condition in between.
The not-far-from-the car choices outlined below are intended to introduce you to the two national parks and six national forests that comprise this vast ecosystem. Suggested hikes are presented near destination towns. Space limits description of almost limitless options. Good guidebooks and visiting with park or forest service rangers will help transport you to even greater rewards further afield.
So, hit the road then hit the trail.
Yellowstone National Park
Visitors to the world's first national park have over 1,000 miles of trail at their feet. Those on a tight time tether should not miss the South Canyon Rim Trail from Artist Point to the Upper Falls parking area. The heavily used path follows the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a deep chasm cut by the powerful Yellowstone River. Both the Lower and Upper Falls are showcased on this 3.2-mile, out-and-back excursion. (If you have two vehicles, a car shuttle cuts the distance in half.)
Those in good physical condition can easily extend their canyon exploration with a spectacular side trip down Uncle Tom's Trail. This short but very steep, one-mile path plunges 500 feet into the canyon via a series of steel grate steps constructed by the National Park Service. It ends at a platform near the base of 308-foot Lower Falls, offering a close-up view worth every gasp on the way back up.
Both trails are accessed off the South Canyon Rim/Artist Point Road, located 14 miles north of Lake junction and 2 miles south of Canyon junction on the park road.
Mount Washburn is a superb choice for an all-day hike. This 6-mile excursion begins at Dunraven Pass Picnic Area, the highest point of maintained road in the park. Hikers gradually gain 1,380 feet as they walk up an old roadbed to a fire tower on top of the 10,243-foot summit. Washburn's central location yields a panoramic view of Yellowstone, the three states that contain the park, and seven mountain ranges. The view, memorable wildflower displays and the chance to see bighorn sheep lend to Washburn's appeal.
The signed picnic area is 5.5 miles north of Canyon junction and 13.5 miles south of Tower Falls on the upper park loop.
Jackson / Grand Teton National Park
For drop-dead, gorgeous mountain views and quick access, it's hard to beat the Tetons. Phelps Lake Overlook is a good, short outing. The 2-mile, roundtrip hike gently gains 400 feet as it climbs to a scenic overlook of the fourth largest lake in the park and the portals of Death Canyon. The well-trod path travels through forests and lush wildflowers fed by snowmelt and springs. The path begins at the Death Canyon Trailhead, accessed off the Moose-Wilson Road.
The 3-mile Swan Lake/Heron Pond loop near Colter Bay is a virtually flat hike that offers glorious mountain reflections and wildlife viewing. Moose, elk, and deer often browse on the plentiful vegetation, while cranes, ducks, and trumpeter swans frequent the small bodies of water. The trailhead is located near the Colter Bay marina. Stop at the Colter Bay Visitor Center for a brief map and trail description.
Cody
Visitors traveling between Cody and Yellowstone's East Entrance shouldn't bypass the easy but worthwhile 2.2-mile, roundtrip excursion up Clearwater Creek Trail. Here, the reddish-brown, carved volcanic cliffs and pinnacles that define the region are displayed to advantage, rising above a canyon bottom shaded by aspen, Douglas fir, and black cottonwoods.
The easy-to-follow path starts at an elevation just above 6,000 feet. It soon climbs a bench above Clearwater Creek and traverses grassy terrain punctuated with Rocky Mountain Juniper. The trail gains and drops less than 200 feet in its 1.1-mile course to a ford of the creek, the turn-around point of your excursion. The indistinct trail beyond the crossing enters the North Absaroka Wilderness. It is not maintained and can be hard to follow.
Clearwater Creek Trailhead is located off the north side of U.S. Highway 14/16/20, approximately 30 miles west of Cody and 21 miles east of Yellowstone's East Entrance.
Dubois
The dazzling beauty of 8,520-foot Lake Louise in Wyoming's Wind River Range replicates that of its famous Canadian namesake. Its sapphire-hued water is enclosed by granite walls polished smooth by retreating glaciers. The magnificent scenery and good fishing make this destination a favorite for Dubois residents.
But you have to work to get to it. Though it is only 2.3 miles to the lake, the trail gains over 1,100 feet as it switchbacks up the southern slope of Whiskey Mountain en route to your destination.
To reach the trailhead, drive east out of Dubois on U.S. Highway 26/287 to the signed Fish Hatchery Road. Turn onto this dirt artery, staying left at the immediate fork, and travel the sometimes rough road 9.6 miles to the parking area.
Pinedale
Pinedale is the jumping-off point for trips into the Wind River Range, arguably the best backpacking terrain in the country. Forty summits top 13,000 feet in this dramatic Rocky Mountain chain, led by 13,804 foot Gannet, the highest point in the state. While oriented towards longer trips, Green River Lakes and Deep Lake are wonderful choices for day hikes. Green River Lakes is a 6.5-mile loop hike that offers superb views of Square Top Mountain, the most photographed peak in the range. Deep Lake is an alpine tarn nestled in a stunning semi-circle of jagged peaks. Though there is only modest elevation gain, this roundtrip hike is 15 miles long.
Inquire locally for directions.
West Yellowstone
The high-altitude 3.8-mile hike through Rock Creek Basin ends at Lake Marie, a small snow-fed pond nestled at 9,200 feet at the base of Mt. Jefferson and 9,512-foot Red Rock Mountain. Both the scenery and wildflowers are top notch, and elk, deer, moose, and birds of prey frequent the basin.
The marked trailhead is located 6.4 miles up Sawtell Peak Road. That gravel byway, identified as Forest Service Road #124 on the USFS map, is accessed off U.S. Highway 20, approximately 26 miles south of West Yellowstone and 33 miles north of Ashton. Those with extra time should drive the remaining 2.2 miles to the end of the road for an impressive panorama of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Use low gear to navigate the road's vertiginous switchbacks.
Red Lodge
Starting at 9,518 feet, Island Lake Trail is a perennial favorite. This top-of-the-world hike gains less than 200 feet elevation in its 3.6-mile course to Becker Lake. The trail winds through wildflower meadows studded with boulders, hugging the west shore of spectacular Island Lake enroute to Night Lake at one mile. Flake Lake is reached at 2.5 miles, Mutt and Jeff Lakes .8 mile further.
Hikers who walk all the way to Becker are rewarded with views of sheer cliffs rising from its west shore and 11,409-foot Lonesome Mountain to the north. Becker is not on official maps, but the lake is not difficult to access. Cross the small stream between Mutt and Jeff, traverse the rock field, then climb the small hill in front of you for your first views of Becker. The terrain, scenery, and distance make this lake a popular camping destination for families.
Island Lake Trailhead is at the end of the marked Island Lake Campground Road, located off U.S. Highway 212 approximately 25 miles east of Cooke City and 38 miles west of Red Lodge.
Rebecca Woods has lived in Jackson Hole since 1978. She is the author of four guides to the region: Jackson Hole Hikes, Walking the Winds, Targhee Trails, and Beyond the Tetons.
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