Yellowstone's Thorofare and the Teton Wilderness - 2023
Mar 29, 2024 10:14:18 GMT -8
rebeccad, MTalpine, and 9 more like this
Post by scatman on Mar 29, 2024 10:14:18 GMT -8
Last August I and three compadres completed a 10 day, roughly 90 miles trip into Yellowstone National Park and the Teton Wilderness. Our route began with a boat ride across Yellowstone Lake, from Bridge Bay marina to backcountry campsite 5E6 which is located on the north end of the Southeast Arm of Yellowstone Lake, then down into the Thorofare for a few days before leaving the Park and heading up Thorofare Creek in the Teton Wilderness. Near the headwaters of Thorofare Creek we hopped over to the North Fork of the Yellowstone, followed the North Fork to Younts Peak, over the saddle between Younts and Thorofare Mountain, skirted the headwaters of the South Fork of the Yellowstone before dropping down towards Marston Pass. We then made our way up onto the Buffalo Plateau, searching for an unnamed canyon that we would descend to the South Buffalo Fork. From there, we hiked to the headwaters of the fork and then over a saddle to the Cub Creek drainage. At that point, we proceeded down Cub Creek to the Continental Divide Trail. From there, we hiked up and over Bear Cub Pass, and then on to the trailhead at Brooks Lake.
I'd like to thank my backpacking partners - Bob, Dave and Scott for joining me on this trip. They helped with the logistics of shuttling vehicles and people, and were great companions to have on the trail.
Here is our report in pictures:
Mules at the Brooks Lake Lodge near the trailhead where I dropped my vehicle off
The Snake River Ranger Station, where I picked up my permit for the backcountry sites in Yellowstone
We stopped off at Buffalo Bar in West Yellowstone for some dinner
Day 1 -
Sunrise at Lake in Yellowstone
Our ride across the lack, piloted by John Mississippi
Mount Sheridan across the lake
Our group after being dropped off at campsite 5E6
Mules were fairly common along our route
Some fireweed as we make our way south along the Southeast Arm of the lake
Taking a break on our way to campsite 5E1
Backpacking along the lake with Colter Peak ahead
Yellowstone River Delta and a look down into the Thorofare
View south from campsite 5E1 which is located above Beaverdam Creek at the northern end of the Thorofare
Day 2 -
A diurnal moth to start off day two
Beaverdam Creek
Bear Track - we'd run into a lot of these before our trip was over
Mariposa Lily to brighten our morning
Yellowstone River
Trappers Creek
Grizzly track
Mountain Creek. Our campsite 6D2 was located here.
Day 3 -
Heading south through the Thorofare
Yellowstone River again
Indian Paintbrush
More Yellowstone River
Mist of Trident Falls
Hawks Rest in the distance
Reaching Thorofare Creek - time to ford
Found a can of bear spray hanging in a tree after fording Thorofare Creek
Heading towards Two Ocean Plateau and campsite 6Y2
The Yellowstone River near campsite 6Y2 with Hawks Rest in the distance
6Y2
Monkshood at camp
Day 4 -
Fording Thorofare Creek again on our way back east towards the Thorofare Ranger Station
Thorofare Ranger Station
The barn at the ranger station
Paintbrush at the ranger station
Log book entries
Leaving the Park and entering the Teton Wilderness
Fish and Wildlife ranger station
Meadows on Thorofare Creek
Meandering Thorofare Creek
Shots of Thorofare Creek
Signpost
Open Creek
Ursack hanging at our campsite on Open Creek
Monkey Flower on Open Creek
Mosaic of maps of our route through the Teton Wilderness
Day 5 -
Entrance to the Hidden Creek Drainage
Thorofare Creek
Grizzly track
Another trail junction sign
Butte Creek
Thorofare Creek
Beautiful view up the Thorofare Creek valley
Wolf and bear tracks together
Good advice at our campsite on Woody Creek
Evening light on the Absaroka Range
I've let the pictures do the talking for me on this report, but I wanted to share something that happened to me on the evening of our fifth day.
Before I call it a night, I usually head down to the water source and splash my face and arms off from the grime of the day. On the evening of our fifth day, after dinner I went to my tent to grab my backpacking towel and then headed down to Thorofare Creek to splash off. As I was approaching the creek, I heard some splashing and then a grizzly bear ran out of the willows next to the creek to the west of me, ran in front of me and into the willows again to the east of me. It all happened so fast I really didn't have time to react, only to watch it take place. I continued on to the creek and finished my evening routine and went to bed. It did take me a little while to finally fall asleep though.
Day 6 -
Leaving our camp near Woody Creek and heading towards upper Thorofare Creek, with Yellow Mountain in the distance
Looking back down the Thorofare Drainage
Grizzly Bear. This bear appeared to be an old bear, but from shoulder hump to the ground this is the tallest grizzly that I have seen in the GYE. It would have been something to see this boar in its prime.
The grizzly notices our presence and retreats back to the forest
Upper Thorofare Creek
Younts Peak peeking over the ridge
Yellow Mountain to the east of us
Another grizzly that we ran into before we started heading up Majo Pass
Some major bushwhacking at the beginning as we started up the pass
Leaving the bushwhacking behind and moving into the clearing. Yellow Mountain is across the drainage
Looking up at our route to the top of Majo Pass
Monkey Flowers in the unnamed drainage
Porcupine remains
Heading up the drainage to the pass
Ran into the old outfitter's trail near the top. We could never find the other end of this trail down low.
Group shout on Majo Pass
Our campsite for the night on an unnamed tributary of the North Fork of the Yellowstone
Day 7 -
Making our way down to the North Fork of the Yellowstone
Views of Younts Peak filled our day. The pass between Younts and Thorofare Mountain can be seen. This is where we will be later in the day.
North Fork of the Yellowstone
Cascades coming off of Thorofare Mountain
Younts Peak ahead
A view back down the North Fork Drainage
Some Forget-me-nots at the pass between Younts and Thorofare
Scott, approaching the pass with Younts above
View down the other side of the pass
Looking down from the headwaters of the South Fork of the Yellowstone
South side of Younts Peak
High country tarn
Looking over into the Washakie Wilderness near Marston Pass
Unnamed Peak 10,962 ahead. We will be camping at a tarn at the base of 10962 for the night
Another grizzly bear above us. It was amazing how fast he climbed the mountain and disappeared over the ridge while we watched.
Approaching our campsite for the evening
Day 8 -
Heading up onto the Buffalo Plateau with unnamed peak 10,962 bidding us adieu.
Looking back north towards Younts Peak in the distance
On the Buffalo Plateau
Turner Fork
Another shot back at Younts Peak
Bob, making his way across the plateau with the Tetons in the far distance
We'll be making our way off the Plateau on the other side of this tarn
Looking down into an unnamed canyon that will lead us to the South Buffalo Fork. We dubbed this unnamed canyon "Bob's Canyon."
Looking down Bob's Canyon
Unnamed creek in Bob's Canyon
Unnamed waterfall in Bob's Canyon
Looking back up Bob's Canyon as we approach the South Buffalo Fork
The South Buffalo Fork
Crescent Mountain
View slightly northeast down the South Buffalo Fork near our campsite at the headwaters of the fork
Dinner time at the headwaters of the South Buffalo Fork
Day 9 -
I was sick on our ninth day, so I didn't take a lot of pictures while heading down Cub Creek
Signpost just of the saddle between South Buffalo Fork and Cub Creek drainages
Looking down the Cub Creek Drainage
Cub Creek
Willows along Cub Creek
Looking back up the Cub Creek Drainage
Looking down on Cub Creek where we will set up camp for the night.
Day 10 -
On the Continental Divide Trail now
Another trail junction sign
It had rained hard the night before so the trail to Bear Cub Pass was muddy
Reaching the wilderness boundary on our way out
Upper Brooks Lakes
Crossing Brooks Lake Creek
Looking back north up the Brooks Lake Creek Drainage
Sublette Peak on the left as we near the trailhead
Made it!
Celebratory nachos at Signal Mountain Lodge
A wonderful trip into some beautiful, wild country. Definitely worth the time and effort to get back in there if you haven't been before, or revisit it if you have.
The End.
I'd like to thank my backpacking partners - Bob, Dave and Scott for joining me on this trip. They helped with the logistics of shuttling vehicles and people, and were great companions to have on the trail.
Here is our report in pictures:
Mules at the Brooks Lake Lodge near the trailhead where I dropped my vehicle off
The Snake River Ranger Station, where I picked up my permit for the backcountry sites in Yellowstone
We stopped off at Buffalo Bar in West Yellowstone for some dinner
Day 1 -
Sunrise at Lake in Yellowstone
Our ride across the lack, piloted by John Mississippi
Mount Sheridan across the lake
Our group after being dropped off at campsite 5E6
Mules were fairly common along our route
Some fireweed as we make our way south along the Southeast Arm of the lake
Taking a break on our way to campsite 5E1
Backpacking along the lake with Colter Peak ahead
Yellowstone River Delta and a look down into the Thorofare
View south from campsite 5E1 which is located above Beaverdam Creek at the northern end of the Thorofare
Day 2 -
A diurnal moth to start off day two
Beaverdam Creek
Bear Track - we'd run into a lot of these before our trip was over
Mariposa Lily to brighten our morning
Yellowstone River
Trappers Creek
Grizzly track
Mountain Creek. Our campsite 6D2 was located here.
Day 3 -
Heading south through the Thorofare
Yellowstone River again
Indian Paintbrush
More Yellowstone River
Mist of Trident Falls
Hawks Rest in the distance
Reaching Thorofare Creek - time to ford
Found a can of bear spray hanging in a tree after fording Thorofare Creek
Heading towards Two Ocean Plateau and campsite 6Y2
The Yellowstone River near campsite 6Y2 with Hawks Rest in the distance
6Y2
Monkshood at camp
Day 4 -
Fording Thorofare Creek again on our way back east towards the Thorofare Ranger Station
Thorofare Ranger Station
The barn at the ranger station
Paintbrush at the ranger station
Log book entries
Leaving the Park and entering the Teton Wilderness
Fish and Wildlife ranger station
Meadows on Thorofare Creek
Meandering Thorofare Creek
Shots of Thorofare Creek
Signpost
Open Creek
Ursack hanging at our campsite on Open Creek
Monkey Flower on Open Creek
Mosaic of maps of our route through the Teton Wilderness
Day 5 -
Entrance to the Hidden Creek Drainage
Thorofare Creek
Grizzly track
Another trail junction sign
Butte Creek
Thorofare Creek
Beautiful view up the Thorofare Creek valley
Wolf and bear tracks together
Good advice at our campsite on Woody Creek
Evening light on the Absaroka Range
I've let the pictures do the talking for me on this report, but I wanted to share something that happened to me on the evening of our fifth day.
Before I call it a night, I usually head down to the water source and splash my face and arms off from the grime of the day. On the evening of our fifth day, after dinner I went to my tent to grab my backpacking towel and then headed down to Thorofare Creek to splash off. As I was approaching the creek, I heard some splashing and then a grizzly bear ran out of the willows next to the creek to the west of me, ran in front of me and into the willows again to the east of me. It all happened so fast I really didn't have time to react, only to watch it take place. I continued on to the creek and finished my evening routine and went to bed. It did take me a little while to finally fall asleep though.
Day 6 -
Leaving our camp near Woody Creek and heading towards upper Thorofare Creek, with Yellow Mountain in the distance
Looking back down the Thorofare Drainage
Grizzly Bear. This bear appeared to be an old bear, but from shoulder hump to the ground this is the tallest grizzly that I have seen in the GYE. It would have been something to see this boar in its prime.
The grizzly notices our presence and retreats back to the forest
Upper Thorofare Creek
Younts Peak peeking over the ridge
Yellow Mountain to the east of us
Another grizzly that we ran into before we started heading up Majo Pass
Some major bushwhacking at the beginning as we started up the pass
Leaving the bushwhacking behind and moving into the clearing. Yellow Mountain is across the drainage
Looking up at our route to the top of Majo Pass
Monkey Flowers in the unnamed drainage
Porcupine remains
Heading up the drainage to the pass
Ran into the old outfitter's trail near the top. We could never find the other end of this trail down low.
Group shout on Majo Pass
Our campsite for the night on an unnamed tributary of the North Fork of the Yellowstone
Day 7 -
Making our way down to the North Fork of the Yellowstone
Views of Younts Peak filled our day. The pass between Younts and Thorofare Mountain can be seen. This is where we will be later in the day.
North Fork of the Yellowstone
Cascades coming off of Thorofare Mountain
Younts Peak ahead
A view back down the North Fork Drainage
Some Forget-me-nots at the pass between Younts and Thorofare
Scott, approaching the pass with Younts above
View down the other side of the pass
Looking down from the headwaters of the South Fork of the Yellowstone
South side of Younts Peak
High country tarn
Looking over into the Washakie Wilderness near Marston Pass
Unnamed Peak 10,962 ahead. We will be camping at a tarn at the base of 10962 for the night
Another grizzly bear above us. It was amazing how fast he climbed the mountain and disappeared over the ridge while we watched.
Approaching our campsite for the evening
Day 8 -
Heading up onto the Buffalo Plateau with unnamed peak 10,962 bidding us adieu.
Looking back north towards Younts Peak in the distance
On the Buffalo Plateau
Turner Fork
Another shot back at Younts Peak
Bob, making his way across the plateau with the Tetons in the far distance
We'll be making our way off the Plateau on the other side of this tarn
Looking down into an unnamed canyon that will lead us to the South Buffalo Fork. We dubbed this unnamed canyon "Bob's Canyon."
Looking down Bob's Canyon
Unnamed creek in Bob's Canyon
Unnamed waterfall in Bob's Canyon
Looking back up Bob's Canyon as we approach the South Buffalo Fork
The South Buffalo Fork
Crescent Mountain
View slightly northeast down the South Buffalo Fork near our campsite at the headwaters of the fork
Dinner time at the headwaters of the South Buffalo Fork
Day 9 -
I was sick on our ninth day, so I didn't take a lot of pictures while heading down Cub Creek
Signpost just of the saddle between South Buffalo Fork and Cub Creek drainages
Looking down the Cub Creek Drainage
Cub Creek
Willows along Cub Creek
Looking back up the Cub Creek Drainage
Looking down on Cub Creek where we will set up camp for the night.
Day 10 -
On the Continental Divide Trail now
Another trail junction sign
It had rained hard the night before so the trail to Bear Cub Pass was muddy
Reaching the wilderness boundary on our way out
Upper Brooks Lakes
Crossing Brooks Lake Creek
Looking back north up the Brooks Lake Creek Drainage
Sublette Peak on the left as we near the trailhead
Made it!
Celebratory nachos at Signal Mountain Lodge
A wonderful trip into some beautiful, wild country. Definitely worth the time and effort to get back in there if you haven't been before, or revisit it if you have.
The End.
