This trail is about a 4-mile loop, and it is near a place called Moose, Wyoming. You can tackle the trail on your own or take a Ranger-led excursion. The trail is only somewhat difficult, so going it alone is just fine. If you have kids, though, they’ll like the Ranger-led hike. You’re allowed to take horses on this trail. In winter, this is a terrific cross-country ski trail too.
This hike's scenery is spectacular from the beautiful mountains, a river, and a lovely warm lake. I’ve seen moose almost every time I go here, and other wildlife is abundant too. Make sure you review the information on wild animals and how to remain safe before you head out. I recommend bear spray.
You can also hike Bradley Lake Trail here, which is more strenuous. If you are feeling adventurous, from Bradley, you can traverse a 2400 ft. climb trail to Amphitheater Lake, but I’ll talk about that another time. While Taggart isn’t one of the longer trails, some are much longer; it remains one of my top 5 hiking areas for the views alone. In fact, it may be my number one spot, but I reserve the right to have a new favorite. =]:)
Trail map: http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Taggart_Lake_topo.pdf
Fairy Falls is about 197 feet tall and is one of the tallest in Yellowstone. The falls cascade down into a shallow, shaded, and inviting pool, but it’s freezing. Hiking into Fairy Falls isn’t too difficult, but it is a longer hike. If you turn around and go back after you reach the falls, it will take you about 2 to 3 hours round trip max.
Once you get to the falls, you might want to travel on to Spray Geyser and Imperial Geyser, about a mile more. Plan for this just in case you want to keep going. Most folks do.
This is a pretty hike. You’ll see many wildflowers, towering lodgepole pines, various wildlife (carry bear spray), and much of the trail is dark gray with obsidian. In 1988, the fires went through this area, so you will see many dark pines, but the forest is alive with new life. It creates a unique and beautiful contrast.
Two trailheads will give you access to the fairy falls hike. You’ll find the first trailhead about one mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin. You’ll see a steel bridge going across the Firehole River, and it follows the Fountain Freight Road hiking and biking trail for about one mile before the hiking-only trail to Fairy Falls branches off on the left. This hike is about 5 miles.
You’ll find the second trailhead about a half-mile south of the Nez Perce picnic area on the Fountain Freight Road. It follows the hiking and biking path from the northern end, one and three-fourths miles to the junction with the Fairy Falls trail. This hike is about 7 miles. Both trails are on the park map you’ll get when you enter Yellowstone.
If you do this hike, I know it won’t disappoint. It’s one of the must-do hikes in Yellowstone if you ask me anyway!. =]:)
When you come to Yellowstone, there are so many interesting places to see. You can spend days in the park traveling all the roads, stopping at all the sites, and exploring the park via your automobile, and that is great!
But, there are some hidden places in Yellowstone most folks never see. You can’t get to these special areas by car because there are no roads. This will take some hiking. Some hikes are short, only 1 or 2 miles, but for some, like Cascade Corner, you’re looking at a 10 to 15-mile hike one way. Whew! It sure is worth it, though, if you don’t mind hoofing it.
Cascade Corner is the name given to the far southwest section of Yellowstone National Park, beyond Pitchstone Plateau's edge, which occupies most of the area eastwards as far as Shoshone Lake and the Lewis River, and Madison Plateau to the north. Also known as Bechler, the region is low in elevation, around 6,400 feet, and flat, a varied mixture of meadows, creeks, sloughs, marshes, and forests.
There are a few thermal features, and instead, the main attractions are waterfalls! Over 20, most along the Falls River and its tributaries, others along the Bechler River and Boundary Creek. The majority require a rather long hike to reach, up to 15 miles, hence the region is popular with backpackers and also notable because of the abundant wildlife (moose, beaver, wolves, and black bears), the rather longer hiking season (from May to November) and the general remoteness.
Cascade Corner is not accessible by road from the rest of the park, cut off by mountain ranges and river canyons. Instead, access is via the 19 mile Cave Falls Road, crossing Targhee National Forest land, starting at a junction with HWY47. Facilities at Bechler are a ranger station, a few trailheads, and the nearby USFS campground, and a typical weekday in summer may see only a few dozen visitors.
Pictured at the top is one of the many waterfalls you will find in Cascade Corner. They call this one, Colonnade Falls and it’s a beauty. On a hot day, the deep blue water below the falls sure looks inviting. I've also included a couple of maps.
You’ll find this waterfall in the Bechler Canyon area, about nine miles up the Bechler Ranger Station trail. This might be my favorite waterfall in Cascade Corner, but I’m fickle, so I might change my mind!
So are you ready for a nice long hike? Good! Get your backpack on, and let’s hit the trails. Maybe we’ll run into each other out there. If so, please stop and say hello. =]:)
Introduction This is the story of my dear friend, Beula. She was a beautiful dapple grey mare who came to live with us two days after my ten...
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