Snowshoeing Mammoth Tour at Yellowstone National Park

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 2 miles

Elevation Gain: 220 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 180 feet

Our snowshoe tour assembles in Bozeman, MT early morning of Day 1, and we’ll van shuttle through the Yellowstone River Valley into Yellowstone National Park to the town of Mammoth. Our home for the first 3 nights will be at the historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. The area is famous for the travertine terraces of mineral deposits. It is with this view as our backdrop that we will organize our snowshoe equipment, have our first lesson, and take a shake-down walk on the Upper Terrace Loop road, closed to traffic for the winter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 160 feet

Day 2 starts with a hot breakfast at the Mammoth Hotel dining room before we catch a short snowcoach shuttle past the terraces to the Bunsen Peak trailhead. Our goal is to circumnavigate the peak, offering views into the Gardiner River Canyon and up to Cathedral Rock. The point-to-point trail continues downhill to Glen Creek and a YCC camp. From there we follow the unpaved road back to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 450 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Day 3 starts very early with a bonus excursion with Wolf Trackers to the Lamar Valley in search of wildlife. After a cup of hot chocolate, we head to the Blacktail Plateau Drive. This summer dirt road provides a gentle walk through open meadows and forests with additional wildlife viewing opportunities. The trail can be done as an out-and-back or a point-to-point, offering flexibility for the group, so all can enjoy the beauty and sights of Yellowstone country at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 410 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 120 feet

Day 4 we return to the Tower Junction area to walk the Tower Falls Trail. The unpaved road leads up a gradual slope past Calcite Springs Overlook to Tower Falls, where we can enjoy canyon views of the Yellowstone River. There may be sightings of the occasional bison, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. In the afternoon we leave Yellowstone Park to indulge in the Chico Hot Springs Resort. A soak in one of their natural hot springs will leave you relaxed and content.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 5.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 348 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 170 feet

We remain in the Hot Springs area for our last Day 5. The Ranch 365 private trail takes us on a 5-mile loop with unparalleled views of Paradise Valley. Vistas in four directions include the Gallatin Range to the west, soaring Emigrant Peak to the south, the Absaroka Mountains to the east, and on the clearest day the Crazy Mountains to the far north. We should have time for one last soak at the hot springs before our return to Bozeman for the end of our Yellowstone Mammoth Snowshoe Tour.