Posted 2005-04-20 11:32 AM (#24056) Subject: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
I was wondering if anyone has any info on trails on the northen side of Yellowstone or the surrounding area that can be ridden on a day ride. We are taking a trip up to Dillon, Montana this July and I would love to ride in Yellowstone but as usual finding info on horse trails is turning up empty. I've checked the usual places...i.e. www.horseandmuletrails.com but they don't have much on it either. Wondering if anyone else would know where to look or has had any expierance up there. I was going to see about a pack trip but after pricing them... uh... I think they are out of our budget.
Posted 2005-04-20 2:32 PM (#24062 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
My husband and I are going to Yellowstone this July too. We're going without the horses though. We received a flyer from a horsebackriding company there called Flying Pig 866.807.0744. Maybe they can give you some leads? Either that or try Endurance.net. There may be some AERC members in that area that can give you some info
Posted 2005-04-20 3:23 PM (#24068 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 173 Location: Arcata, CA
Hey Todd,
It'll take some special preparations, but DO IT!!! Heck if I could I would meet you there. We visited Yellowstone last fall without the mules, but I was paying alot of attention to trails for a possible return trip. We stayed at Slough Creek Campground in the north East corner, and there were DOZENS of horsetrailers at the trailhead. Evidently it was hunting season...of course you can't hunt IN the Park, but the trailhead leads to the park boundry and beyond. I also saw a mule and rider on the trail beside the road from Norris to Mammoth. I also saw a government stock trailer near fountain paint pots. Do the research, know the limitations...and go for it!
Posted 2005-04-20 4:09 PM (#24070 - in reply to #24068) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Thanks hillview,
When are you heading out there? I never thought about looking into the endurance.net site . I'llcheck out there and maybe the NATRC website as well.
packerpete,
Pack it up and lets go! :) We'll be out there the weeks of July 16th thru the 23rd. I called the park and the ranger told me he would send out some info. Where we are staying is about 160 miles from the North entrance. I'd love to find a place to ride to and camp and then ride back (from trailering into the park of course). I'm hoping I can find something like that.
Posted 2005-04-20 8:12 PM (#24076 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
I'll be there the third week in July. If you have any advice on what to see while there (remember we'll be horseless) I'd appreciate it. We're putting our trip planner together now.
Posted 2005-04-20 10:09 PM (#24084 - in reply to #24076) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 173 Location: Arcata, CA
We found that we were rushing for the enitre week that we were there trying to take it all in. I would advise two-three weeks! I got on a yahoo group about Yellowstone and learned alot of stuff from locals and frequent visitors. One recommendation that was useful was a travel guide called Yellowstone Treasures, it is organized for car trips. I'd really like to spend the extra time for a pack trip myself, and see the hidden yellowstone. Next time the mules ARE coming! And the dogs are staying home...plenty of restrictions on dogs, and for good reasons. I think our four herding dogs were partially responsible for a buffalo stampede in the parking lot...even though they were locked in the extra cab of my truck.
Another highlight was getting up early (before 7 AM) to watch Wolves in the Lamar Valley. There was the Druid pack fighting with a grizzly over an Elk carcass. Look for a silver Nissan Exterra with front end damage and folks with spotting scopes, they'll be watching the wolves.
Posted 2005-04-21 12:09 PM (#24113 - in reply to #24084) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
I wish I had enough vacation time to take 2 to 3 weeks. We are brining our children with us on this tri and my father who lives in Seatle is coming over to take them back and do stuff with them. We are taking 2 weeks of vacation but coming from Texas it's going to take us 3 days to get there. it's going to be a blast though. There are some good ghost towns to visit around the Dillon area, but the highlight will be Yellowstone. I have alot of links about the park if you would like me to send them to you, I can. I've been trying to plan this our for the last year and finally coming all together.
Posted 2005-04-21 8:06 PM (#24135 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
Go to Cook City out the northeast entrance, as you are leaving Cook City start looking for signs to Daisy Pass on the north side of road ( the first or second turn), the road is rough and steep the first mile, plenty of camping areas, old gold mines, and beautiful country. THIS IS GRIZZ COUNTRY, so take precautions. 4-wheelers also use this area. Once you get to Crown Butt, Lake Abunadance can be seen to the northwest at the bottom of the valley. From there on it is foot or horseback travel only. There is over 600 lakes and about 1500 sq miles of wilderness area. Once you get in there you might not see another human for weeks.
Posted 2005-04-26 7:20 PM (#24368 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
This wilderness area borders yellowstone on the north from Cook City to Gardiner, with some trails weaving into and out of the park. If you go keep us posted on how you fared. Maps can be purchased from USFS for the area.
Posted 2005-05-02 1:52 PM (#24581 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Regular
Posts: 53
Hey Hillview, since you'll be horseless I would also recommend making a trip into Cody and visiting the musuem. We spent 2 days at the musuem and still didn't see it all - GREAT PLACE. As for shopping you can also visit Wyoming Outdoor Industries for fabulous horse tack/packing equipment and also Buckstitch Canvas (I think I have that name right), anyway another great place for horse people to shop. We only had a day and a half to spend in Cody but plan on making another trip. Have fun.
Posted 2005-06-16 9:23 PM (#26719 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: NW
IF you were going to be on the south side - as in Teton National Forest/Park, I can't recommend Pacific Creek campground too much! BEAUTIFUL place to ride, nice campground, lots of trails. That is my favorite place on earth....even tho I live in my 2nd (but very close 2nd!!) place! One of these days, I'll get down there again. You are in the Teton Wilderness.
Posted 2005-06-21 3:40 PM (#26879 - in reply to #26719) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Thanks AbbyB.
I will keep that info and take it into considaration. Unfortunately, our Montana trip has been postponed due to a severe injury in the family and we are planning it for next year. I am very disappointed but it's one of those things you can't control. I like the idea of going and camping out for a day or 2. I'll definately look into it.
Posted 2005-07-10 1:34 PM (#27868 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
I have just returned from the Beartooth Wilderness Area(it has been 7 years since my last visit) thought I would update my earlier post. The Lulu Pass road (second left from Cooke City) is a much better road than the Daisy Pass road, then you can cross over to the Daisy Pass. Lulu Pass is still impassable (as of 7/9/05) at the top because of snow. Traveling the lower trails along streams and rivers is difficult to impassable by horseback because of fallen trees from the "88" fire. So get a map and stay on the higher elevation trails. IMO the best trail is the Goose Lake trail up to Grasshopper Glacier. It is still very scenic with wildlife worth viewing. I had my chioce of camping area, because no one was there. I"ll post pics of the area as soon as possible
Posted 2005-07-20 6:00 PM (#28331 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Veteran
Posts: 285
Abby, we just got back from Montanna, and did a road trip to the tetons. We would love go there and ride. Does Pacific Creek have a web site? Are there lots of trails out of there? Debbie
Posted 2005-07-23 11:51 PM (#28502 - in reply to #24056) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Ennis Montana
hi there... a couple suggestions for your trip, skip riding in the park, they try to not make it to easy, you can get maps of trails at the park office but I would skip the traffic, crowds and regulations and ride around the park. Since you will be in Dillon a good area to try is Lee Metcalf wilderness just west of the park, it is about a 2 hour drive from dillon through ennis, there are great trails, lakes and scenary. Or..You can head south on i 15 AND GO THROUGH THE CENTENNIAL VALLEY AND RIDE IN THE CENTENNIAL mountains south of the park. or if you wan t to ride in the park proper but not go through the entrance, go south from ennis past hegban lake then turn left (hwy89?) towards big sky and you drive through part of the park on the right and there are lots of good trail heads on both sides of the highway. These options will save alot of driving highway time. If you do head north, Be sure to check the highway closures north of the park, I think the highway to red lodge is closed due to a mud slide. The beartooths are an amazing wild rugged area to ride, you almost want to take a another trip just to check that area out, it's a ways from dillon
Posted 2005-07-27 1:04 PM (#28608 - in reply to #28502) Subject: RE: Yellowstone
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Thanks montanagal,
Unfortunately we had to cancel our trip but have resceduled it for next June. Come hell or high water we are going next year. Thanks for the info and I will look into these spots as they sound like they would be wonderful. Of course riding anywhere up there would be wonderful to me.
Yellowstone
