Outside Adventure Guide

Explore Yellowstone National Park

Outside Adventure Guide — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:44:20 +0000

Yellowstone National Park is a wilderness and nature sanctuary that can provide you with a lifetime of special adventures. With its 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone offers sightseers and explorers the famous Old Faithful and hundreds of geysers, hot springs, lakes, rivers, valleys, forests, mountains and diverse wildlife throughout the park. Here are highlights of one special visit I shared with a friend in this amazing National Park.

Old Faithful & Lower Geyser Basin

Sixty percent of the geysers in the world are located in Yellowstone National Park with Old Faithful, the worlds most famous geyser, a must see. We spent time in the Lower Geyser Basin where colorful geysers and hydro thermal activity can be viewed while strolling along a boardwalk. Plan to spend time viewing these incredibly unique geysers on your visit!

Firehole Canyon Drive

Head north from Old Faithful and enjoy a scenic side road along the Firehole River and views of the 40-foot Firehole Falls. Wildlife may surprise you along with the beauty of this protected environment.

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley was a favorite place of ours to view bison, listen to the call of the coyotes and watch the birds. The valley is enchanting and peaceful, yet becomes frightfully exciting as you find yourself in the path of buffalo! To get to Hayden Valley head to the middle of the park above Bridge Bay.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

From Hayden Valley, we headed north to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This Canyon is about 20 miles long of stunning views. We hiked Uncle Tom’s trail consisting of 300 stairs and a steep elevation change of 500 feet. If you are up for this hike, the spectacular view of the Lower Falls is well worth the adventure and views.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone lake, with it’s 141 miles of shoreline, is the largest freshwater lake at an elevation above 7,000 feet. Drive and view the Lake in the southern part of the park.

Read about my Motorcycle Adventure in Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks and over the Beartooth Highway!

Share your own Yellowstone experience!

Hike to Phelps Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Outside Adventure Guide — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:06:23 +0000

Hiking to Phelps Lake is a popular short hike in the Grand Teton National Park. The 4-mile round-trip trail provides fantastic views of jagged mountains, the scenic Phelps Lake and Jackson Hole valley. This is a beautiful and enjoyable hike for enthusiasts up for the challenge of climbing a few hills and encountering wildlife. You can reward yourself by jumping into the chilly lake for a swim!

Wildlife and Bears!

The Phelps Lake area is also known for wildlife sightings. On my first attempt hiking to Phelps Lake from Teton Village along the Valley Trail, this teenage bear pounced into the trail within inches of me! Completely shocked, I walked carefully backwards while he trotted after me for several minutes. Much to his disappointment (and my relief), he eventually found me to be a rather dull playmate.

I never made it to Phelps Lake that day and let the bear enjoy the trail by himself! I tried the hike the following week from the more popular Death Canyon Trailhead and successfully hiked to the lake and back. The Death Canyon Trailhead in the Grand Teton National Park is where I highly recommend beginning your hike.

Phelps Lake Hike: Trail Details

Pick up a Grand Teton National Park map at the park entrance station. Park and begin your hike at the Death Canyon Trailhead off of Moose-Wilson Road. This trail is an out and back hike on a well-maintained dirt trail. It is 1.0 mile to the Phelps Lake Overlook. This section of the hike is moderately easy leading you to an overlook of Phelps Lake and the Jackson Hole valley. Descend 1.0 more mile to Phelps Lake. This section of the hike is more strenuous on your return trip as you ascend in elevation.

If you choose, meander the trails taking you along side the lake. I recommending heading on the trail to the right of the lake. It takes you up and away from the lake before returning back to the shore. There is a magical spot named Huckleberry Point to discover!

Phelps Lake Tips

Plan to be alert and knowledgeable about wildlife encounters. Respect the wildlife and their natural habitat.

I recommend entering the park prepared and with bear spray.

The trail and park is open in mid-June to early September.

Camping is available on the lake shore after obtaining a park permit.

Click Here for hiking and gear tips.

Happy hiking and share your questions or comments!

Here’s more adventures in Grand Teton National Park.

Marion Lake Hike in the Grand Teton National Park

Outside Adventure Guide — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:59:24 +0000

Looking for an all day adventure, I hiked to Marion Lake in Grand Teton National Park from the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s aerial tram. Not only was the hike adventurous and challenging, I was rewarded with remarkably visually stunning views!

I hiked almost 14 miles round-trip. The distance from the top of the tram to Marion Lake is close to 12 miles out and back. Viewing Marion Lake in late July with the wildflowers in bloom is gorgeous.

I added a spectacular side trip by hiking past Marion Lake up to a plateau with panoramic views. Check out the scenery from my side trip!

Marion Lake Hiking Difficulty

The dirt trail provides solid footing; however, the distance, high elevation and climbs earn the trail a moderately strenuous all day hike. I would highly recommend the hike for fit hiking enthusiasts.

Marion Lake Hiking Trail Specifics

Start at Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Take an early ride on the aerial Tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.
From the top of the tram, head left along the ridgeline and then along the service road.
Take a right at the Grand Teton National Park boundary and head down the switchbacks of the back of Rendezvous Mountain.
Take a left at Middle Fork Cut-Off junction about 3.9 miles into hike.
Turn right at junction with Teton Crest Trail at 4.4 miles.
Turn right at the junction with Game Creek Trail at 5.4 miles.
Turn left at junction at North Fork Trail at 6 miles.
Once at Marion Lake, continue beyond climbing up the hill for beautiful sights of the Teton Range and Marion Lake.
Return the same way you came for an out and back hike.
Monitor the time and ensure you catch the tram ride down the mountain.

Marion Lake Hiking Tips!

Bring a fee to ride up the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort aerial tram.
You’ll hike almost 14 miles. You’ll want to catch the tram back down the mountain, so start early. If you miss the last tram ride, you’ll have over 7 miles more miles to walk!
Be prepared and dress appropriately for high mountain drastic temperature and weather changes.
Bring plenty of water.
Best times to hike are from early July to early September. I recommend late July when the wildflowers abundant.
Bring a trail map.
Click Here for more hiking and gear tips.

Wildlife in Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park!

Be prepared and knowledgeable about wildlife in the area. I have seen bears in this area. I suggest bringing bear spray. Always respect the environment you are a guest of.

Grand Teton National Park: Overnight and Backpacking Options

Obtain a permit from Grand Teton National Park, camp at Marion Lake and explore further trails the following day. I highly recommend overnight and multi-day backpacking trips in this area. Exploring the jagged Tetons, meadows of wildflowers, glacier lakes and wildlife that the Grand Teton National Park has to offer is an experience like no other.

Read about More Hikes from the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Tram!

Granite Canyon Hike

Rock Springs Loop

Share your adventures or ask a question!