Area Facts and Details

• Historically, the origin of Yellowstone’s name has been attributed to the Native Americans who had lived in the area. Basically, the name comes from the Yellowstone River, which in turn gets its name from the yellow colored rocky cliffs located on its banks in the northern region of the park. The Minnetaree tribe used to call the river ‘Mi tsi a da zi’, meaning ‘Rock Yellow River’. This was translated to ‘Yellow Rock’ or ‘Yellow Stone’ by French fur trappers.
• Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park.
• With more than 10,000 geysers, hot springs and fumaroles, Yellowstone is the largest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world.  Old Faithful is a cone geyser, and the most well-known geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The geyser was named in 1870 because of its consistent eruptions (that reach a height of 106-18 feet) that occur approximately 90 minutes apart. However, Old Faithful is not the tallest or largest geyser in the park. Over the years, the length of the intervals of the geyser have increased, but mathematicians and archaeologists now confirm that Old Faithful erupts exactly 65 minutes after an eruption that lasts less than 2.5 minutes, or 92 minutes after an eruption that lasts more than 2.5 minutes. Old Faithful is the most photographed geyser, but there are several other geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone Park that also offer fascinating eruptions.
• Yellowstone Lake is the largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park, and stands approximately 2375 miles above sea level. It is also the largest freshwater high altitude lake in North America. The geothermal area in the West Thumb of the lake is easily accessible from several trails, and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the park.
• Yellowstone rests on one of the largest active volcanoes in the world.
• Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states that wild bison have survived continuously.
• Yellowstone has the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the lower 48 states and the global temperate zone. Wildlife viewing is best in the early morning or early to late evening. Yellowstone is home to the following species: 2 species of bears, Roughly 67 species of other mammals, 322 species of birds, 18 species of fish, 5 threatened or endangered species, including bald eagle, grizzly bear, and lynx, whooping crane, gray wolf.
• More than 2,400 miles of streams flow through Yellowstone, providing some of the best fly fishing in the world.
• Mammoth Hot Springs, located in the northern part of the park is one of the most interesting areas of the park. Here, water mixed with bicarbonate and calcium comes to the surface, where the carbon dioxide is released while the carbonate that remains combines with calcium, forming travertine, which forms into unusual formations and shapes.
• One of the most spectacular features of the park is the deep canyon carved by the Yellowstone River as it flows through the area, which also creates a lovely waterfall with upper and lower sections, when it goes over high cliffs. It is known as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
• The Absaroka Range has the highest mountains in the Yellowstone National Park, which is located in the southwestern part of the park. The Eagle Peak, standing at 11,358 feet, is the highest in this range.

Trip Itinerary

Gear Checklist

Baggage
✓ Backpack – 30-50 liters, capable of 30-40 lb load.
✓ Large duffel bag

Sleeping
✓ Sleeping bag – lightweight, easily packable (rated to 20 degrees).
✓ Sleeping pad.
✓ Tents are supplied.

Travel
✓ Casual clothing – lightweight, comfortable items for travel.
✓ Airline tickets (if necessary).
✓ Earplugs.
✓ Travel pillow.

Clothing Accessories
✓ Sun hat with brim
✓ Ski hat
✓ Gloves – midweight windstopper.
✓ Gloves – warm and waterproof.

Clothing
✓ Hiking shorts.
✓ Pants-zip-offs are great
✓ T-shirts.
✓ Long sleeve shirts.
✓ Long underwear.
✓ Fleece jacket or wool sweater.
✓ Fleece pants.
✓ Down jacket (optional).
✓ Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants.
✓ Underwear.

Footwear
✓ Hiking boots – waterproof with good ankle support.
✓ Tennis shoes or sandals.
✓ Gaiters
✓ Hiking socks.
✓ Sock liners
✓ Camp sock

Other
✓ Water bottles (2-3) and/or Hydration reservoir (2-3 liter capacity)
✓ Plastic bowl, cups, spoon and fork.
✓ Water purification tablets or filter.
✓ Matches or lighter.
✓ Trekking poles
✓ Small multi-tool or pocket knife.
✓ Headlamp or flashlight.
✓ Sunglasses
✓ Camera, film, tripod (optional).
✓ Extra batteries for headlamp, camera, etc.
✓ Book notebook, journal, pencil or pen.
✓ Bandanas or Buff
✓ Pack cover
✓ Binoculars
✓ Personal first-aid kit and medication.
✓ Trail snacks
✓ Several large Ziploc plastic bags

Toiletries
✓ Toilet paper (will use Ziploc bags for used paper while on trail).
✓ Medium to Large pack towel.
✓ Toothbrush and toothpaste.
✓ Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning).
✓ Hand sanitizer
✓ Personal toiletry items.
✓ Sun block and lip balm.
✓ Flies
✓ Landing net
✓ Polarized sunglasses

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Trip Photos

Yellowstone 2010