Summary

Yellowstone: Bechler River Trek

Prices From USD$ $1,475.00
1st Departure 01.01.0001
Provider Wildland Trekking Company
Destination Yellowstone National Park
Duration 6 days
Challenge Easy
Avg Rating Not Rated

You will not experience a hike as unique and wonderful as this traverse of Southwestern Yellowstone, a complete sensory overload! It is one of our most popular tours because of the opportunity to experience the geysers, large lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, wild berries, extraordinary fishing, and vast river meadows of Yellowstone in a backcountry setting. This tour has it all!

Our trip begins with a bang as we arrive at the largest backcountry geyser in the park early the first day, and if we are lucky we will see its 70+ foot eruption of scalding water. Proceeding upstream along the Firehole River and over the continental divide we arrive at the largest backcountry lake in North America, which is the backdrop for a backcountry geyser basin nearly three football fields in size. This basin will amaze us with its population of geysers, each seeming to possess its own personality: there are petite bubbling pools, potholes expressing frothy gurbles, bizarrely shaped mounds spewing fountain-like streams into the air, and grumbling crevasses.

After reaching the high point of the hike, a plateau of lush meadows and thick forests, we greet the headwaters of the Bechler River. A ways downstream we are soon blessed with its first treat: a series of hot springs fit for a queen. Bring your bathing suit, because you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in its heavenly waters, all the while enjoying the stunning scenery of the Bechler Canyon. Downstream of these hot springs, we will be dazzled by a series of extraordinary waterfalls, some of the best in the park.

A treat for the eyes would not be complete without a treat for the palate: downstream of these waterfalls we enter a berry-mecca: raspberries, strawberries, huckleberries, and thimbleberries ripe for the pickin’ in late summer. Next we leave the canyon and enter the expansive meadows of the Bechler valley, where the river relaxes its descent to a lazy meander through green meadows. Looking south, we will notice the summit of the Grand Teton exerting its dominance on the landscape. If you are a fisherman, this will be the highlight of your trip: large trout wait anxiously beneath undercut banks for that hopper imitation.

The car is close but one more spectacle awaits and it is a perfect culmination of our tour: at the far end of the valley is a large waterfall guarded by a set of perfect hotsprings. We will enjoy soaking in them and experiencing this beautiful scene at once. Driving back to Jackson, you will be able to ponder the experience of Southwestern Yellowstone while looking forward to a shower and a comfortable bed… Included in this tour is an experienced, professional wilderness guide, top-of-the-line backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, and a healthy supply of nutritious, fulfilling meals.

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