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- Feb 15, 2020
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Happy to say the yearly tradition of getting my college buddies together with our kids for a backpacking trip has continued - and this year I got them up to Yellowstone!
I've been wanting to check out the Hellroaring Creek area for some time - I'd never done so much as a day hike out of this trailhead before this trip, so I was happy to remedy that. Not much wildlife on this one, but we did all get a quick glimpse of a badger on the way in - which was a first for me inside the park.
On our "rest day", my two sons, one of my buddies, and I elected to give Hellroaring Mountain a shot. Clearly not a very popular climb, but a wonderful adventure.
These trips always end up being the highlight of my year, but I wouldn't exactly call them relaxing...
Day 1: Hellroaring Trailhead to 2H7 Hellroaring Mountain
We had driven up a few nights early and stayed at the Mammoth CG - my wife stayed there a couple more nights while we were out, which meant concierge drop-off and pickup! And by all accounts she had a very peaceful time enjoying the park without us for a few days.
As expected, it was a hot one - but we'd soon find the trees and Hellroaring Creek. (Also, my oldest is now wearing my old Zpacks bag... and it fits.
)
Almost to the trees and some glorious shade.
Hellroaring Creek.
We all got in the creek (to varying degrees) before setting up our tents.
Helping little brother find his way across.
Nice big site.
Backcountry Book Club?
Day 2: Hellroaring Mountain
One of my buddies was keen to find a good off-trail day hike from camp and the obvious choice was Hellroaring Mountain (8,374'). Right?
At breakfast we asked who was interested in joining us and both of my boys jumped at the chance. (Proud dad moment.) The others decided they'd hang around camp. Honestly, I wasn't sure how far we'd make it - the route I had in mind was only about 5 miles round-trip - but with elevation change of more than +/-1,000' per mile. We would go up the south ridge and come down the north ridge before returning to camp. I knew going in that we'd need to do quite a bit of winding back and forth on the way up to dodge cliffs, but the south ridge really wasn't bad - just fun scrambles and quite a few (easy) Class 3 sections up and down. But I definitely underestimated the north ridge a bit - some downright challenging routefinding on our way down that side, but ultimately we were always able to find a quality, safe option. Needed a fair bit of route-finding compared to most high points in Yellowstone.
It was another warm day, but a gorgeous one.
The initial ascent was fairly mellow, but it got progressively steeper.
We found some great sheds on our way up.
Getting a bit scramble-y here and there. Fun rock, too - mostly gneiss and granite, not the crumbly stuff you find on most Yellowstone high points.
A little bit of smoke, but still a great view. (I think it got a lot smokier right after our trip, so we probably lucked out here.)
Summit selfie! Spooked a golden eagle right as we approached the summit - was pretty awesome to stand there and watch it soar for a while.
360° from Hellroaring Mountain. We had lunch on a bench on the east side - a pleasant breeze, a bit of shade, and an incredible view made it hard to leave.
But we did eventually need to head down. Pure focus.
Once past the cliffs, it was easy enough - but that steep incline did not let up until we were all the way at the bottom.
We were all quite happy to be back on the flat trail.
The west side of Hellroaring Mountain really is impressive from the base.
My youngest enjoyed telling everyone at camp that "we hiked to a different state."
Nap time.
Day 3: 2H7 Hellroaring Mountain to Hellroaring Trailhead
We were up bright and early for our exit - hoping to beat the heat better than we did on our way in. And mission accomplished, because we had an absolutely beautiful walk out.
We had come in across the stock bridge to the north, so we didn't get to see the Hellroaring Patrol Cabin on the way in. Nobody home.
Every water crossing is a thrill with kids. Only one kid fell in - but I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't exactly an accident.
One last uphill to the trailhead and farewell (for now) to another beautiful section of Yellowstone.
Sharing my favorite places with my favorite people is always such a joy. At our post-trip lunch in Gardiner everyone was already starting to plan next year's trip... I'd say that's a good sign.
I've been wanting to check out the Hellroaring Creek area for some time - I'd never done so much as a day hike out of this trailhead before this trip, so I was happy to remedy that. Not much wildlife on this one, but we did all get a quick glimpse of a badger on the way in - which was a first for me inside the park.
On our "rest day", my two sons, one of my buddies, and I elected to give Hellroaring Mountain a shot. Clearly not a very popular climb, but a wonderful adventure.
These trips always end up being the highlight of my year, but I wouldn't exactly call them relaxing...
Day 1: Hellroaring Trailhead to 2H7 Hellroaring Mountain
We had driven up a few nights early and stayed at the Mammoth CG - my wife stayed there a couple more nights while we were out, which meant concierge drop-off and pickup! And by all accounts she had a very peaceful time enjoying the park without us for a few days.
As expected, it was a hot one - but we'd soon find the trees and Hellroaring Creek. (Also, my oldest is now wearing my old Zpacks bag... and it fits.
)Almost to the trees and some glorious shade.
Hellroaring Creek.
We all got in the creek (to varying degrees) before setting up our tents.
Helping little brother find his way across.
Nice big site.
Backcountry Book Club?
Day 2: Hellroaring Mountain
One of my buddies was keen to find a good off-trail day hike from camp and the obvious choice was Hellroaring Mountain (8,374'). Right?
At breakfast we asked who was interested in joining us and both of my boys jumped at the chance. (Proud dad moment.) The others decided they'd hang around camp. Honestly, I wasn't sure how far we'd make it - the route I had in mind was only about 5 miles round-trip - but with elevation change of more than +/-1,000' per mile. We would go up the south ridge and come down the north ridge before returning to camp. I knew going in that we'd need to do quite a bit of winding back and forth on the way up to dodge cliffs, but the south ridge really wasn't bad - just fun scrambles and quite a few (easy) Class 3 sections up and down. But I definitely underestimated the north ridge a bit - some downright challenging routefinding on our way down that side, but ultimately we were always able to find a quality, safe option. Needed a fair bit of route-finding compared to most high points in Yellowstone.It was another warm day, but a gorgeous one.
The initial ascent was fairly mellow, but it got progressively steeper.
We found some great sheds on our way up.
Getting a bit scramble-y here and there. Fun rock, too - mostly gneiss and granite, not the crumbly stuff you find on most Yellowstone high points.
A little bit of smoke, but still a great view. (I think it got a lot smokier right after our trip, so we probably lucked out here.)
Summit selfie! Spooked a golden eagle right as we approached the summit - was pretty awesome to stand there and watch it soar for a while.
360° from Hellroaring Mountain. We had lunch on a bench on the east side - a pleasant breeze, a bit of shade, and an incredible view made it hard to leave.
But we did eventually need to head down. Pure focus.
Once past the cliffs, it was easy enough - but that steep incline did not let up until we were all the way at the bottom.
We were all quite happy to be back on the flat trail.
The west side of Hellroaring Mountain really is impressive from the base.
My youngest enjoyed telling everyone at camp that "we hiked to a different state."
Nap time.
Day 3: 2H7 Hellroaring Mountain to Hellroaring Trailhead
We were up bright and early for our exit - hoping to beat the heat better than we did on our way in. And mission accomplished, because we had an absolutely beautiful walk out.
We had come in across the stock bridge to the north, so we didn't get to see the Hellroaring Patrol Cabin on the way in. Nobody home.
Every water crossing is a thrill with kids. Only one kid fell in - but I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't exactly an accident.
One last uphill to the trailhead and farewell (for now) to another beautiful section of Yellowstone.
Sharing my favorite places with my favorite people is always such a joy. At our post-trip lunch in Gardiner everyone was already starting to plan next year's trip... I'd say that's a good sign.