Wyoming Hiking
One of the best ways to view the Grand Tetons is by hiking
its back country. There are maps available at the visitor
centers and rangers are glad to address any questions or
concerns you may have. Some of the trails include those
around Jenny Lake, the Leigh and String lakes, the moderately
easy 6 ½ mile Jenny Lake Trail, the easy 1 ¾ mile trip to
Colter Bay Nature Trail Loop, the 1 ½ mile trail to Cunningham
Historic Cabin, and Taggart Lake Trail which provides great
views of the Avalanche Canyon.
Climbing over 7,000 feet to an assortment of summits is
the Teton
Range, and when you approach its base, you will find
a passage by which you can reach the majority of the Tetons’
peaks. The passage way is known as the Teton Crest Trail
and can be  approached
2 ways—you can take the 4,000 foot tram ride at Jackson
Hole Ski area then trek across the fields at Granite Canyon
or you can hike past Death Canyon’s impressive rock walls.
Ultimately, you will reach a 200 yard wide shelf with craggy
cliffs above and below. As you walk, you will see Alaskan
Basin wildflowers, glacier carved Cascade Canyon and then
on to the gentle plains leading to Jackson Hole. This 30-33
mile trail will take 3-6 hour to cover.
Along the Continental Divide and the south eastern end of the northern Rocky Mountains are the peaks of the Wind River Mountains. The imposing stone walls and impressive pinnacles contain seven of the biggest top ten largest glaciers in America. Because of its thin soil and sparse vegetation, the Wind River Mountains are a favorite of wilderness lovers.
To hike the trail through the Wind River Mountains in its entirety, you should plan for an 8 day (minimum) hike which begins at the Green River Bridge and ends at Station Creek in Sweetwater Gap (transport is needed to starting and ending points). As you hike the 93 mile route, you will see challenging cliffs, perilous peaks and rushing rivers beside and sometimes below the trail. Along the way you will see a variety of wildlife, including but not limited to, deer, bighorn sheep, marmots and pica. Be sure to have your binoculars for watching the gray jays, Clarks Nutcrackers, and other birds that live in the spruce, fir and pine forest.
Yellowstone
National Park has 1,210 miles of trails and 85 trailheads.
However, before embarking on your trek always talk to a
ranger to find out if recent weather has created unusual
or challenging conditions. Back Basin Trail is a 1 ½ mile
loop which passes Emerald Spring, Steamboat Geyser and Cistern
Spring. The Fountain Point Pot Nature Trail travels past
hot springs, dry fumaroles and multihued mud pots along
the easy 1 ½ mile trail. A more difficult hike, but
one with a rewarding view, is the 700 step Uncle Tom’s Trail which leads to the base of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone.
Photo Credits: First two Hiking Wyoming
pictures by Brian Saunders; Last Wyoming Hike Photo by T.E. Morgan
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