CDT in Yellowstone or Tetons?

imported
#1

I’ll be in the Tetons at the end of June. I was planning on spending most of my time there, but is any of the CDT through Yellowstone great for a day hike?

I have to get back to Bozeman so I’m considering driving through the park to get there.

weez

#2

While the CDT goes through Yellowstone, it’s not really the “highlight of the park” or anything… It just simply “passes through” on the most efficient trails that already happened to be there… i.e. heading through the southern part of the park. If you’re just looking for a good day-hike in Yellowstone, I wouldn’t limit yourself to the CDT.

If one of the main criteria of that day-hike is that it’s on the CDT… then, I think the best would be heading south from West Yellowstone toward Lone Star Geyser, and possibly as far south as the Shoshone Geyser Basin (not sure of the mileage off-hand). Another option would be Heart Lake… which does have a few hot springs, but isn’t really spectacular or anything.

Jonathan

#3

Jonothan’s right, as usual. Of the options he gave, I’d suggest the first, Lone Star and Shoshone Basin (and I’d go south from Old Faithful), because there are far fewer people there than at Heart Lake.

I was amazed at how easy it was to get camping permits in Yellowstone, compared to Glacier. I think most people really don’t go to Yellowstone (at least along the CDT route) to go backpacking.

Be ready to see grizz.

Garlic

#4

Thanks for the ideas. Would your first choice be to just stay in the Tetons and skip Yellowstone? I only have 4 days anyway to hike. I was planning on all Tetons but I was considering other options depending on the remaining snow when I get there.

weez

#5

I thought the backcountry geyser basins were extremely cool to see along the CDT. But I’d just keep it as an option if there’s too much snow or weather for your Teton hikes. I wouldn’t try to see too much in four days. Sounds like a great trip.

Garlic

#6

Haven’t done too many long hikes during my times in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

But I highly recommend checking out Lamar Valley during the evenings and mornings. Two packs of wolves hunt elk, bison and antelope during the mornings and nights. Grizzlies seem to be all over the place.

Due to the volume of grizzlies, I would do it in a car.

Bankrobber

#7

Personally if I was going to the Tetons I would stay there and not worry about Yellowstone, the scenery is much more spectacular in the Tetons. IMO the highlights of Yellowstone are almost all accessible by car or short hikes, while hiking in the Tetons gets you to some very spectacular areas. On the CDT last year we took an extra 7 days to explore most of the Yellowstone backcountry and probably the most impressive place we were was the Sky Rim trail in the northwest corner of the park, saw a grizzly and a herd of more than 150 elk. You can do a 4-day loop hike in the Tetons that would be much more impressive, but not have as much wildlife or geyser activity.

Skittles

#8

What are you planning on hiking in the Tetons at the end of June? Do you have and know how to use an ice axe?

If not check on conditions for Mt. Hunt Divide,could be your best bet to get up high. I live outside Dubois. If the snow melts forget the CDT at Brooks Lake and get up on the Divide itself. The Buffalo Plateau is as spectacular as it gets. Bonneville Pass Trailhead. One of my all time favourite dayhikes, shorter drive from Central GTNP than most Yellowstone locations.

John