hiking the Fawn Pass trail in Yellowstone NP
This was the hike I was looking forward to doing in my last trip to Yellowstone; I rate the potential hikes and then which ones should have priority when the weather is nice. This was the hike for the perfect weather.
Disclaimer: this is one of the few trails in Yellowstone where (1) you can only hike during certain months of the year since part of the hike enters a bear management area, and (2) you are NOT allowed to hike off trail (you can normally hike off trail anywhere else in the park, not just on certain areas).
So based on the disclaimer I said “Let’s Do It” ………………. because I don’t care if I get eaten by a bear (I really don’t care, no joke). The bear management area (and it looks like that wilderness is full of bears) starts after the last campsite (1F2 below).
So the hike starts in the parking lot of Bunsen Peak, you just cross the road and you will see a trail that parallels more or less a road to your right. I have no clue what is in there, but I saw cars parked there too. The first mile is flat and the nice views are to the left, which is the valley that you observe from the Swan Lake parking lot:
You will reach an intersection for three trails, the one to the left is Fawn Pass and then it starts gaining elevation. You are going in a out of wooded areas, so keep an eye for critters. At this point you will not find anyone else on the trail, so keep your head on a swivel and scan the area and listen. There are a couple of dry ponds in there, probably with water earlier in the year. Couple of trees to the left, couple to the right; a pleasant hike.
Once you reach the zenith of the elevation, you are going to go down into the valley that you observed at the start of the hike. In that valley you will notice a lot of dots, which turn out to be bison.
You are about to start crossing creeks, but before that, more views:
I knew about the creek crossings, so I took my water shoes with me. The creeks are not deep at all, but high enough that water will enter your shoes and I don’t want to hike with wet socks. I have improved a lot on the care of my feet, so as a side note: (1) I cut the toenails to avoid them hitting the front of the shoes and getting black toenails, (2) I tape my heels and all my toes and since I have done that, ZERO blisters, none, nada !!!, (3) very thick socks, (4) extremely good (and expensive) shoes. This is the first trip that I came back from with my feet looking the same as I went in.
The colors in fall are amazing.
You can see that the creeks are shallow, but notice the large bushes surrounding the creeks ……………… prime place to run into four legged furry things if you are not making noise or paying attention. I decided to scratch plans to hike fast for distance and instead stroll to admire the view. This area is so beautiful it’s not even funny. For the next half a mile, you will find large bushes hiking along the creek and crossing it twice.
You get the impression that you are hiking on a wilderness area and not a national park that is full of people and cars.
I am not sure what mountain that is, but it dominates the view while hiking in the meadows along the creek. Dude, seriously, look at those colors !!!!
I was approaching the tree line that you see in the image above when I finally ran into human beings. Three people leaving the campground closest to the bear management area. I started talking to one of them, I hate that I forgot his name since this guy knows a lot about the area. He is from Helena and an expert in the ecosystem. He told me that at the campsite they heard wolves at night (you can now guess who will apply for a campground permit there next year) and the area is full of bears. We talked for about ten minutes and we went our merry way. I told him that I was probably going in a couple of more miles and then turn around. It is always nice to run into people at the trail that like to start conversations, that is something that I look forward in my hikes: a friendly face willing to share time and stories.
Turns out that opposite the campground is Fawn Lake, which sounds like a perfect place to eat food away from camp.
After leaving the lake, the trail now is part of the Gallatin Bear Management area and for sure I will not run into anyone so time to start talking and keep an eye. There is no place to hide and no one will come by and rescue you. You will see a sign marking the area and telling you to stay on the trail at all times (tip: bears don’t read signs).
The forested area doesn’t last long, you will arrive at a clearing that meanders around Fawn Creek, with a nice view to your right. The trail runs next to the trees, so pay attention to whatever could come out of the trees. The water on the creek is so clear.
You will cross Fawn Creek after this clearing and then the trail follows the creek in a narrow opening. That part is a bit scary due to the trees being so close to the trail. I think I went one mile in an decided to turn around. On the topo map it looked that the trail would be that narrow for a few more miles.
I can’t stop recommending this trail, the views, the meadows, the creek crossings, the little knows Fawn Lake. But don’t get cute and leave the trail, you are required to stay on the trail (I guess leaving the trail for Fawn Lake is allowed). My plan is to return to Yellowstone next September and apply to permits to two areas to backpack overnight: (1) the Pelican Valley area and (2) here.
If you want solitude and you are a bear aware hiker, this is the place for you.
The ironic part ………………… I am about a mile from the trailhead when I can start seeing the road and all this commotion, a gigantic bear is walking along the road so I had to stop for a bit while the bear was walking away from the trailhead. Now, the interesting part: I did this hike two days after my Sepulcher Mountain hike where I saw those grizzly tracks …… was this that dude ? If so, that was a big boy whose tracks I was following.