National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Mammoth Area Day Hikes Yellowstone National Park

Welcome to the Mammoth Hot Springs Area Numerous trails suitable for short or extended hikes into Yellowstone’s backcountry begin in the Mammoth area. This guide introduces you to several hikes selected by park rangers. Always carry rain gear, extra food and water, and other emergency equipment when venturing into the backcountry. Be sure to obtain current trail condition and bear activity information at visitor centers.

Cautions Hydrothermal areas: The North Yellowstone River thin ground in these areas Entrance breaks easily, and often overlies scalding water. Stay on the trail. All Wildlife: You must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) Beaver away from bears and wolves; and at least 25 yards (23 m) Ponds away from all other ani- mals—including birds. Blacktail Rescue Deer Creek Bears: Although Creek your chance of Mammoth an encounter is Hot Springs low, your safety is not guaranteed. Sepulcher Minimize your risks by making loud noises, shouting, or singing. Hike in groups and use caution Lava Cr where vision is obstructed. Carry bear spray and know eek how to use it. Do not hike after dark. Avoid carcasses; To Tower/ bears often defend this food Roosevelt source. Fishing: Anglers must have a

Yellowstone National Park Gardner River fishing permit in their pos- Bunsen Peak Osprey Falls session. Consult the park To Norris newspaper for purchase locations. Hiking trail described Picnic Area North Backcountry Camping: Trail not described Visitor Center Permits are required for Hiking/ Biking trail Campground backcountry camping. Roads

Beaver Ponds Loop The trail begins just north of Liberty Cap and the lower Mammoth Terraces, and begins Distance: 5 miles (8.3 km) with a 350 foot (106.7 m) climb up and above d Estimated time: 2–3 hours Clematis Gulch. At the junction with Sepulcher oa r R Mountain Trail, go right. Soon thereafter, the ne Difficulty: moderately di trail levels out and rambles through mead- ar strenuous G ows and stands of aspen to a series of beaver ld Trailhead: between Liberty O ponds. The Beaver Ponds are approximately Beaver PondsHotel Loop Cap and the stone house half way around the loop. Look for elk, mule Albright next to the Lower Terraces deer, pronghorn, moose, beaver dams and Visitor of Mammoth Hot Springs lodges, the occasional beaver, and waterfowl. Stone Center Past the ponds, the trail travels through forest House and grassland back to Mammoth. 0.5 mi 0.2 mi Be alert for bears: both black and 0.8 km 0.3 km grizzly bears forage in this area. Liberty Cap Bunsen Peak Osprey Falls Distance, round trip: 4.6 miles (7.6 km) To Distance, round trip: 8 miles (13 km)

Estimated time: 2–3 hours Mammoth r Estimated time: 4–5 hours Hot Springs e v Difficulty: moderately strenuous; 1,300 i Difficulty: strenuous R

foot climb r

e Trailhead: 5 miles (8 km) south of

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Trailhead: 5 miles (8 km) south of r Mammoth on the Grand Loop Road,

a Mammoth on the Grand Loop Road, G across from the Glen Creek trailhead across from the Glen Creek trailhead Glen Creek Follow Bunsen Peak Road (hiking/bik- Climb through forest and meadow Trail Bunsen ing only) through grassland and burned to the summit of Bunsen Peak, which Peak forest 3 miles (4.9 km) to Osprey Falls mi has panoramic views of the Blacktail 2.3 m Trail (no bikes allowed). Descend Plateau, Swan Lake Flat, Gallatin 3.8 k 700 feet (213 m) into Sheepeater

Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone 1.0 mi Canyon, one of the deepest canyons River Valley. (You’ll also see commu- 3.0 mi 1.6 km in Yellowstone. Osprey Falls, on the nications equipment, which supplies 4.9 km Gardner River, plunges 150 feet (46 m) Mammoth and nearby communities.) Osprey over the edge of a lava flow. Return by Return by the same route. Falls the same route. Grizzly bears frequent this Open to hiking area, use caution when and biking traveling.

9 Lava Creek Mammoth 0. 0.8 km Hot Springs 5 mi Distance, one way: 4.2 miles (6.9 km) Foot Bridge Estimated time: 2–3 hours Maintenance Difficulty: moderately strenuous Area Trailhead: Across the road from the Lava Creek picnic area on the Grand Loop Road Follow Lava Creek downstream past 3.7 mi Undine Falls (60 feet/18 m), descending To Norris 6.1 km gradually. Lava Creek meets the r La e v v a

Gardner River further downstream. The i C

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eek Undine trail crosses the river on a footbridge to r

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a final steep climb out, ending near the n

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Mammoth Campground. Return by the r

a To Tower same route, or have a vehicle shuttle G Roosevelt arranged. !5

Blacktail Deer Creek to Ye North llow sto Yellowstone River Entrance n e Distance, round trip: 7.4 miles (12 km) R iv Estimated time: 4–5 hours er Difficulty: return is strenuous Rescue Creek7.3 mi Trailhead: 7 miles (11.3 km) east of 11.7 km Mammoth on the Grand Loop Road

Follow Blacktail Deer Creek as it Gardner River descends 1,100 feet (33.5 m) through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir Blacktail forest to a suspension bridge over the Mammoth R Deer Creek 3.0 mi e 4.9 km Hot Springs s Yellowstone River. Return the same way. cu e Cr ee Trail frequented by stock animals. k

Blacktail Rescue Creek Ponds 0.7 mi To Norris 1.1 km Distance, one way: 8 miles (12.8 km) To Tower Estimated time: 4–6 hours Roosevelt Difficulty: moderately strenuous b Lava Creek Trailhead: 7 miles (11.3 km) east of Mammoth on the Grand Loop Road; Follow Blacktail Deer Creek trail past the east end of Blacktail Pond to the top route ends 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the of a short hill, then veer left on the Rescue Creek Trail. Climb gradually through North Entrance Station. aspens and meadows, then descend through forests to sagebrush flats that lead to a footbridge across the Gardner River. Return by the same route, or have a vehicle

shuttle arranged.

Sepulcher Mountain This strenuous hike requires a good map for navigation. Stop by the Mammoth Backcountry Office for further information. Distance, round trip: 11 miles (17.7 km) This 11 mile (17.7 km) hike climbs 3,400 feet through forest and meadows to the 9,652 foot (2,942 m) summit. Loop trail continues along the opposite side of the Estimated time: 6–8 hours mountain through an open slope to the junction of Snow Pass. Occasionally, you Difficulty: strenuous can spot mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose along this trail. Trailhead: between Liberty Cap and the stone house next to the Mammoth Hot Springs Lower Terraces Grizzly bears frequent this area, use caution when traveling.

For more information Visitor centers have a free day hike handout for each major area of the park. A “Day Hike Sampler,” with a hike or two per area, is also available along with several www.nps.gov/yell guides for trails throughout the park. Yell 236 • 02/15