Questions about Union Falls trip in Yellowstone

[Pringles]

Hi, I got two nights at 9U4 in early August (4-5). I've gone in to Union Falls before, from the Grassy Lake Road, on Mountain Ash Creek Trail, going in near the dam. I'd like to try going in at Fish Lake. I understand the spur road to Grassy Lake is bad, but I'm told it is ok if one just drives slowly. We'll be in a pickup and an SUV, so I think we'll be ok. Any current info on the Fish Lake spur would be appreciated.

The hike itself... in just a couple of miles from Fish Lake, there is a ford of the Falls River. The Bohannon book lists it as 120' wide. For comparison, he lists the Snake River at the south entrance as 200' wide. The backcountry situation report lists it as fordable now. A different book I have says it should be 2-3 feet deep by mid-July. One person told me it should be shin to knee deep, and a little pushy. I'm asking for information about that ford. I know weather changes and years are different, but, I have to ask. Is it likely to be close to 2 feet by August? Is it just a pay attention and walk and you'll be fine type ford? Did you do it once and you're never doing it again? For perspective, I've forded Hellroaring Creek, the Snake at the south entrance, the Snake River upstream one ford, the Bechler in the Canyon, the Falls River upstream, and a bunch more around Yellowstone. I'm fine with most of what I have done, though that ford of the Snake upstream from 8C1 I don't want to do again. We may have not picked a good line. Any thoughts about that ford would be appreciated.

The same trip requires crossing Ash Creek a couple of times. I'm told there are logs to cross on. Any information about those fords?

I realize no one can just say, "It's a splish splash." But I don't want to get my little hiking party involved in trying to cross something like the Falls River crossing at Cave Falls. I'm chicken. I was telling Scatman that possibly I should take up cruising. It's not very scary and the food is pretty good.

Thanks.

Pringles

 

[Jackson]

Nice plan! I did a shuttle hike through there, ending at Fish Lake, last fall.

The spur road starts out fine, but once you turn right at the first fork, it gets pretty bad. Narrow with a good bit of brush, some decent rises and drops with puddles. Big roots sticking up in a few places, and a few rocks that are big but not awful. We did it with my stock Tacoma and a stock Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, so you'll probably be fine. Clearance was the most important thing. I'd have been a little nervous but probably ok in my Outback. I think I have a photo from the middle of the drive I can send. I'll edit this if I find it.

The Fall River Ford was no problem in late September... Given our that our snowpack is long gone, I'd be surprised if it's much different in early August this year than it was for us. I remember it being mostly little pebbles and sand, so it was level. Not a fast flow. I have a picture of it readily available, and you can see that it's gotta be no more than 2 feet at least where my friends are.


Mountain Ash Creek near 9U1 was similar. It was about as wide as the Fall River. I seem to recall it being slightly deeper than the Fall River, but I can't say for sure. It was not bad at all.

The next ford upstream from there, near 9U3, is smaller and also not bad. There may be a log that has fallen across nearby, but I don't think I have seen or used it if so.

Above that, the next time you cross, there is a legitimate log bridge. That one is right next to 9U4.

Take your trekking poles, watch where you step, and you'll be good! All those Bechler Canyon fords you have done are harder than these ones.

Here's the picture from an average spot on the road. I would say it undersells the roughness a bit haha.

 

[Pringles]

That's exactly the kind of information I was hoping for! Thank you so much. There'll be a post with pictures when I get back, though it may take a little while. It's backpacking season!

Pringles