Yellowstone or Teton Dayhikes

[b.stark]

So for my next adventure, I'm not going on any grand backpacking trip, but going to take more of a road trip this time with lots of dayhikes (and probably an overnighter or two). First destination is the Wind Rivers, then after that the plan is very up in the air. I do want to see the Tetons, as I haven't seen them since I've been old enough to remember, and it's been a long time since I've been to Yellowstone (was *maybe* a teenager last time I was there). I know more than enough to keep me occupied in the Winds, but not familiar enough to have solid plans for exploring the Tetons or Yellowstone. I'd prefer hikes less than 10 or 15 miles. Also not sure about camping within Yellowstone (I loathe crowded campgrounds) so if anybody has suggestions for more solitary camping options in or around Yellowstone, that would be most appreciated. Edit to add: If I get to Yellowstone, apart from the obvious geothermal features, I'd love any suggestions for good hikes for wildlife!

Leaving for this trip a week from today. I'll have 11 days to get the trip done, but not sure how long I'm going to be out there for sure just yet.

 

[Absarokanaut]

I hope you are going to the Glacier Trailhead out of Dubois for the Winds, much better dayhiking than anything on West side IMO. Whiskey Mt., Bomber Basin, Lake Louise for an "off" day. If you can do Arrow Mt. the archaeology up there is awesome. Then you could also do one of my favorite dayhike 11,000'+ summits in the Southern Absaroka too. CHECK FIRES FIRST.

My favorites in the Tetons:

Lake of the Crags.
Delta Lake
Surprise and Ampitheatre Lakes
Avalanche Canyon to Lake Taminah.
Tram up, Down Granite Canyon.
Death Canyon Patrol Cabin.
Full Hermitage Point at DUSK.
Overnight to top of Open Canyon camping zone and dayhike Coyote Lake.
Ski Lake
Taylor Mt. & Coal Creek Meadows

Yellowstone
Overnight Slough Creek w/McBride Lake
Avalanche Peak
Dunanda Falls; prefer overnight.

Bridger-Teton National Forest

Mt. Sublette; not to be confused with Sublette Peak
North Buffalo Fork.
Angle Mt.
Mt. Leidy.
Jackson Peak
If Granite Creek reopens by the time you get here [dates?] Swift Creek one of my favorites along with Granite Hi-Line.

 

[b.stark]

Thanks for the ideas. with all the fires around the winds, I'm not sure how much I'll do there. wanted to do a couple overnight there instead of dayhikes. I know it's no big hike but I wanted to hike in and camp at the green River lakes, but if it's really smokey I might save that for another time. also considered doing an overnight out of big Sandy, maybe try for deep lake or the cirque if I'm feeling frisky. would like to do some hiking out of the glacier trailhead, but is that smoked out pretty good too?

Actually with all the smoke down south I'm thinking of swinging up to the bear tooth instead of the winds. all plans are up in the air though. just going to head for the mountains and enjoy some time out there.

I'll get to the mountains august 2 and will likely head home about august 9.

Are bear canisters required in yellowstone? guess I could Google that myself...

 

[scatman]

Are bear canisters required in yellowstone? guess I could Google that myself...

No they are not required.

An out-and-back hike along the Mary Mountain Trail through Hayden Valley is my suggestion for wildlife. It is about seven miles to the western edge of the valley, so you could turn around at any point along the route and return to the trailhead depending on how you feel. Be sure and get an early start and be bear aware.

 

[b.stark]

On my way back home now so I thought I'd give a brief report. first I did an overnight to the green River lakes in the winds to acclimate and because I've been wanting to get back for years. first day was pretty clear, second day the wind picked up big time and cliff creek smoke came in about noon or 1pm. next I did an overnight in the tetons. was able to get a permit in South cascade so I hiked in to a site then dayhiked hurricane pass. coming down the next day a knee that can be problematic became a problem so I spent the next two days mostly car tripping around yellowstone. good show from the geyser in upper basin, a beautiful sunrise the next day at Norris basin, and watched a grizzly and two Cubs in the hayden valley. Overall an excellent time even though it wasn't a ton of backcountry. I'll admit to doing a good share of hotel camping...