Latest / This Week in Yellowstone National Park / This Week in Yellowstone: September 4th to September 10th, 2025

Transcript

This Week in Yellowstone: September 4th to September 10th, 2025 · This Week in Yellowstone National Park

0:00
From Yellowstone National Park where the end
0:02
of summer looks to be on the near horizon This
0:05
is that Scott guy you know and love with a brand
0:08
new episode of this week in Yellowstone What's
0:21
up everybody, this week in Yellowstone National
0:23
Park from September 4th through September 10th,
0:27
2025, I'll share with you what you need to know
0:30
for the start of the elk rut, give a brief overview
0:33
of bears entering hyperphasia, share a trail
0:36
for those looking for serious miles and serious
0:38
views, and let you know why you shouldn't expect
0:41
an empty park in September. I'll also give you
0:44
the complete weather forecast, wildlife report,
0:47
the news, and everything else you need to have
0:49
an incredible time this week in Yellowstone.
0:53
Quick standard disclaimer, feel free to reach
0:56
out if you have any questions, I cover a lot
0:58
and I sometimes miss details, or I mention park
1:01
locations very casually. So if you're unfamiliar
1:04
with anything I say, jot it down, google search
1:07
it, shoot me an email, happy to help. Also, this
1:11
podcast is a passion project. I'm not paid or
1:13
sponsored. So if you enjoy it, I'd love a review
1:16
or a quick email. If you'd like to support my
1:18
work, you can check out my guidebooks on hiking
1:20
and wildlife watching in Yellowstone and the
1:22
Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Or you can join
1:25
me for a guided Yellowstone hiking tour. For
1:27
details, just visit Outdoor -Society .com or
1:30
reach out to me directly. This week's Yellowstone
1:34
news. So things are starting to close and they
1:37
are starting to close this week. On the 7th,
1:40
Indian Creek Campground is closed for the season.
1:43
And then there are a bunch of closures coming
1:45
to Bridge Bay Marina. On the 7th of September,
1:49
the Marina Store is closing. And then the next
1:52
day on the 8th, both the Guided Fishing Sightseeing
1:55
Charterboats are closing and the Motorboat Rental
1:58
area is closing. So that is September 7th and
2:01
September 8th at Bridge Bay. And those are the
2:04
current closures, but they are ramping up from
2:07
here on out. Elsewhere in park news the USGS
2:11
alongside with Yellowstone National Park are
2:14
going to be doing some scientific bear captures
2:17
within park boundaries Officials say this is
2:21
part of the ongoing monitoring efforts to document
2:24
recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone
2:26
ecosystem and under the Endangered Species Act.
2:29
The field captures by agency biologists along
2:32
with interagency grizzly bear study teams will
2:35
start on September 1st and go until October 15th.
2:40
just be aware this is not really going to be
2:42
affecting you unless you're doing something kind
2:44
of crazy in the backcountry and if you are the
2:47
major access points where they are doing these
2:50
studies are going to be extremely well marked
2:52
and you're going to know that you should be avoiding
2:55
the area when they're capturing and tagging these
2:58
bears. Very quickly important news. I am splicing
3:03
this in last minute But if you're headed out
3:05
to Lamar Valley from the interior of the park
3:08
Please know that there is construction that is
3:11
really snarling traffic 20 minute 30 minute delay
3:15
is possible on the new Yellowstone River Bridge
3:19
area. They have ripped out some of the pavement
3:22
there's Active construction going on every single
3:26
day the bridge that new bridge that's near Roosevelt
3:30
Junction that will lead you to Lamar Valley The
3:32
new bridge is not open yet. You're still going
3:35
on the old bridge, but the road on either side
3:38
of that old bridge Really not great gravel. It's
3:44
they're doing a fantastic job every day. It gets
3:46
better They're doing a ton of work, but just
3:49
expect Like I said, it might be a five minute
3:51
delay, might be a 20 to 30 minute delay, but
3:54
expect delays and then you'll be perfectly fine.
3:57
I want to add that just because it is one of
3:59
those like last minute things that I have experienced
4:02
the last few days and I would be frustrated if
4:04
I was listening to a podcast that said what to
4:07
expect and you didn't tell me that important
4:09
detail. There's construction there. It's not
4:12
the worst. It'll be fine. Definitely still go
4:15
out to Lamar, but just know you might be delayed
4:18
a bit. My experience of the week the start of
4:22
the elk rut in Yellowstone So when September
4:25
rolls around in the Yellowstone National Park
4:27
The air turns crisp the grasses pick up a golden
4:30
glow and the parks valleys Transform into the
4:34
theaters for one of the most unforgettable shows
4:36
the elk rut Whether you've been coming to Yellowstone
4:39
for years or you're visiting for the very first
4:42
time Watching the elk rut feels like you're stepping
4:45
into a wild ancient drama that plays out right
4:48
in front of you. So what is the elk rut? The
4:52
rut is elk mating season, and it's as dramatic,
4:55
sometimes fast -paced, sometimes slow, but always
4:58
has a sense of anticipation. The bulls, the male
5:02
elk, compete for the attention of cows, the female
5:04
elk, with a mix of bugling, sparring, and sheer
5:08
bravado. If you've never heard an elk bugle before,
5:12
It's a high, almost haunting call that echoes
5:15
across valleys. It's part a challenge to rivals
5:18
and part of an announcement like, hey ladies,
5:22
I'm here. A single dominant bull might collect
5:26
a harem of 20 or more cows, keeping a constant
5:29
eye out for challengers and those charging in
5:32
to push them away. For visitors to the park,
5:36
human visitors, it's a mesmerizing experience.
5:39
Sometimes you'll see bulls lock antlers in noisy
5:42
head -to -head battles. Other times, the fights
5:44
are more like bluffs, ending quickly when one
5:47
bull decides to not risk anything. Between the
5:50
bugling, the clashing antlers, and the sight
5:52
of herds moving through wide open meadows, usually
5:55
at a fast pace, the rut captures everything wild
5:58
and untamed about Yellowstone that you're hoping
6:00
to see. So timing the rut. The rut tends to peak
6:05
in mid to late September. But if you're here
6:08
earlier in the month, you're still going to get
6:09
a good taste of it. The reason I mention it now
6:12
is because I want to make sure to have it covered
6:15
early and not mention it too late for those of
6:17
you that are headed into the park. There's not
6:19
a set date that it starts. It could start tomorrow.
6:23
It could start in earnest in two weeks, right?
6:28
Like we don't really know when it's really going
6:30
to pop off. So talk about it now. So early September
6:33
is usually when that build -up begins. The bulls
6:37
are polishing their antlers, scraping the remaining
6:39
velvet off of them against trees, and getting
6:41
ready to show off. They're fine -tuning their
6:44
bugles and starting to pull cows into harems.
6:47
On the cooler mornings and evenings, you're especially
6:50
likely to catch the action as the energy ramps
6:53
up toward the season's peak. Again, nothing really
6:56
happens in the middle of the day, technically,
6:59
but it could. So where are the best places to
7:02
see the rut in Yellowstone? It's where the elk
7:04
are, right? That's the easiest answer. Mammoth.
7:08
Mammoth is where the elk are a lot of the times.
7:11
Mammoth is the most famous spot to see elk running
7:14
around during the rut and for good reason the
7:16
big herds often settle right on the lawns around
7:19
the historic buildings of Fort Yellowstone and
7:21
the Mammoth Hotel. It's an incredible contrast
7:24
with wild bulls bugling and chasing cows. all
7:28
around the terraces and old stone barracks in
7:30
the background. The elk here are used to people,
7:33
people say, but not during the rut. And that
7:37
is especially important because rangers are always
7:41
out in full force at Mammoth during the rut.
7:43
They will have megaphones. They will be yelling
7:45
directions to people because elk are fast. It's
7:50
important to give out plenty of room all year
7:52
round but more so during the rut Because they
7:56
can and they will run faster than you and those
7:59
bulls will get you with their antlers They'll
8:01
hit your car. They will hit anything They are
8:05
ramped up on hormones and they do not care if
8:08
you have one run by your car during this time
8:10
You can just see like there is nothing in their
8:13
eyes, but just like sheer instinct Elsewhere
8:17
in a more calm, wild backdrop, you can head down
8:20
to the Madison Junction, kind of between West
8:22
Yellowstone and Madison. That's along the Madison
8:26
River, and the scenery here is way more calm
8:28
than Mammoth. It's usually like mist lifting
8:30
off the water in the early mornings, the elk
8:32
bugles drift across the flats, and it feels like
8:35
classic Yellowstone. The bulls tend to be especially
8:38
active in this area, and the broad valley makes
8:40
for great viewing from far away and not with
8:43
lots of cars around like you have in Mammoth.
8:45
Elsewhere, you can go to Hayden Valley, though
8:48
it's better known for bison and bears. You know,
8:51
Hayden Valley does have some big elk herds that
8:53
are visible at times. You'll have your sweeping
8:55
views there and you can spot action way off in
8:58
the distance, especially with binoculars or a
9:00
spotting scope. There also is that Gardiner River
9:03
Corridor. That's between Mammoth and the town
9:06
of Gardiner. An elk will gather along the river
9:08
flats and now with the new road, you can actually
9:11
look down toward where the elk are. This also
9:14
leads me to the same Gardner. You may be able
9:17
to see them in just Gardner. But there's one
9:21
place that I really want to share, and I know
9:24
some fellow locals will be less than thrilled
9:25
at me for mentioning this, but you know, go to
9:29
the Old Yellowstone Road. The Old Yellowstone
9:31
Road, the stretch that you should check out,
9:34
is between Gardner and that Yellowstone Hot Springs
9:37
Road. You'll have a lesser known, more wild chance
9:40
to see elk engaging in the rut. Just be aware
9:43
that you will be leaving the park boundary pretty
9:45
quickly, and then there is elk hunting. So just
9:49
know that. Now when you're watching the elk rut,
9:52
it's easy to get caught up in the excitement,
9:54
but rutting elk deserves space. I've said this
9:57
before, I'm going to say it again, give them
10:00
lots of room. Bulls can weigh around 700 pounds
10:03
and during the rut they're running on pure adrenaline.
10:06
Yellowstone requires visitors to stay 25 yards
10:08
away from elk in the non -rut season and this
10:11
should really be about 100 yards during the rut.
10:15
You'll laugh when you think of this at first
10:17
and then you'll see a bull elk charging at you
10:19
or your car or anything else they're viewing
10:21
as a threat at that time and you'll say, oh wow
10:24
I do not have enough room. So don't mess around
10:27
when you're watching them and take their aggressiveness
10:30
seriously. Use a zoom lens, binoculars, or a
10:34
spotting scope, and this will make the experience
10:36
both safer and more enjoyable for the elk and
10:39
for you. So beyond being an unforgettable spectacle,
10:42
the rut is a critical part of the ecosystem.
10:45
Bulls compete for mates, ensuring that the strongest
10:47
genetics get passed along, keeping elk populations
10:50
resilient. Oak are also a cornerstone species
10:53
in Yellowstone, supporting predators like wolves
10:56
and bears. In a way, when you're watching the
10:58
rut, you're witnessing a key moment in the park's
11:01
natural cycle. It's a moment that ripples out
11:04
into the broader web of life throughout the years.
11:09
be in Yellowstone in September, do not miss going
11:12
to check out the Elcret. Whether you're standing
11:14
in Mammoth listening to the bugles echo off stone
11:17
buildings or tucked into a pullout along the
11:19
Madison River at dawn, it's an experience that
11:22
sticks with you. The rut is raw, wild, and deeply
11:26
tied to the spirit of Yellowstone. Proof that
11:28
this is a place where nature still runs the show.
11:32
My tip of the week. Know that when you visit
11:34
Yellowstone in early to mid September, you won't
11:37
have an empty park. Now if you're heading to
11:40
the park in September, I want to give you a heads
11:42
up. That park is not going to be empty. Contrary
11:46
to popular thinking, the park doesn't experience
11:49
a huge decrease in visitation once Labor Day
11:51
weekend is behind us. In fact, Yellowstone's
11:54
September visitation is nearly as high as visitation
11:57
in August, with a large amount of that coming
11:59
in the first two to three weeks of the month.
12:01
In August of 2024, Yellowstone welcomed 871 ,163
12:08
recreation visits. That was 3 % higher than the
12:11
year before. And just a month later, in September
12:14
of 2024, the park recorded 852 ,435 visits. Now,
12:21
that is only less than 20 ,000 visitors difference
12:25
over a month. And that is a decent amount, but
12:28
852 ,000 is still high. That means that September's
12:32
traffic is nearly the same as summer's peak,
12:35
and it's more proof that people still flock to
12:37
the park despite school schedules and cooler
12:39
mornings. And it's not just a one -off fluke.
12:43
You can look back on previous years before 2024,
12:46
and it's the same thing. Every single year, at
12:50
least back to when I looked briefly at this in
12:53
2018, it's about the same. The trend upends that
12:57
old thinking that visitors drop off sharply once
13:00
kids go back to school. September buries that
13:04
myth for good. These days the park is as vibrant
13:06
as summer, at least through that second week
13:09
of September. Now part of the reason that September
13:12
is so busy is changing travel patterns. We have
13:15
more retirees, more people that have flexible
13:18
work schedules, And there is an influence that's
13:22
telling people, hey, September is empty. You
13:24
should come visit us now. And that's stretched
13:26
out the visitor season even longer. I mean, if
13:29
we're being honest, October now is starting to
13:31
become more popular because more people are realizing
13:34
September isn't as empty, right? So we're seeing
13:37
tourist season get longer and longer and longer.
13:40
Now, crowds may be thin slightly later in the
13:43
month. So if you're coming at the very end of
13:46
September, it will quiet down, even at halfway
13:48
point, depending on what the weather is going
13:50
to be. By the late month, you're going to feel
13:53
very free on the roads and boardwalks. But, you
13:58
know, early first two weeks still expect some
14:01
crowds. September in Yellowstone is not an afterthought
14:05
for visitation. There's the elk rut that I just
14:08
talked about. There's cooler weather, fall colors
14:11
and All of that combined with that antiquated
14:16
way of thinking of, oh, kids are back in school,
14:18
park's empty, leads to higher crowds. So if you're
14:21
heading to Yellowstone this September, just don't
14:23
expect solitude and you'll be fine. And even
14:27
though there's not going to be solitude, you're
14:29
going to have a wonderful time in the park. September
14:31
is a gorgeous month. It's truly spectacular.
14:35
If this is the only time you can come, fantastic.
14:37
You're going to love it. So just know. It's not
14:41
going to be completely empty. That will be October,
14:43
and then the least visited month is November,
14:45
and that's because only one section of the park
14:47
is open and there are no amenities open. But
14:50
we'll talk about that as we get mid -October.
14:53
My random Yellowstone fact of the week. Bears
14:56
in Yellowstone and the frenzy of hyperphasia.
14:59
So when late summer tips forward to fall in Yellowstone,
15:03
the whole landscape feels like it's shifting
15:04
gears. The days are getting shorter, mornings
15:07
are chillier, and for the park's bears, both
15:09
black and grizzly, it sparks one of the most
15:12
fascinating survival strategies in the animal
15:14
kingdom, hyperphasia. That's the scientific name
15:17
for the phase when bears basically turn into
15:19
eating machines. Their bodies are telling them
15:22
it's time to bulk up for torpor, and they take
15:25
it seriously. A bear in hyperphasia might spend
15:28
20 hours a day forging, digging, climbing, and
15:31
flat out chowing down. They can consume more
15:34
than 20 ,000 calories a day. Think of it as an
15:37
all -you -can -eat buffet that never ends until
15:40
the snow really starts to fly. So if you've seen
15:44
a bear in early summer, you might have noticed
15:46
it casually grazes on grass, tears apart a log
15:49
to find insects. You know, it's just a chill
15:52
bear usually. During hyperphasia though, that
15:54
mood shifts to an almost frantic pace. Every
15:57
berry bush, every anthill, every whitebark pine
16:00
cone cachet is a potential jackpot. They scavenge
16:04
wolf kills, roots, and whatever else they can
16:07
get their claws on. And it's not just about getting
16:09
big for the winter. For female bears especially,
16:13
fat reserves from the season determine whether
16:15
they'll have cubs and if those cubs will survive
16:17
in the winter den. For grizzlies, it can mean
16:20
gaining three to four pounds every single day.
16:23
Black bears may even double their body weight
16:25
in just a couple of months. Now where are the
16:28
best places to spot bears in hyperphasia in Yellowstone?
16:32
So late August through early September is one
16:34
of the best times to see Yellowstone's bears
16:36
in action. While there are no guarantees, some
16:39
spots give you a better shot than others and
16:41
those are Hayden Valley with wide -open views
16:44
and plenty of food. It makes this a hot spot.
16:46
Bears are often seen wandering meadows or patrolling
16:48
riverbanks. Lamar Valley. Known for wolves and
16:52
bison, it's also prime bear country. A good pair
16:54
of binoculars or a spotting scope will help you
16:57
catch them digging for roots or checking out
16:58
carcasses. That's going on right now in the park
17:01
out in Lamar. Dunraven Pass and Mount Washburn.
17:06
High elevation mean whitebark pine and bears
17:09
can be spotted raiding squirrel caches up here.
17:12
Hikers on the Mt. Washburn Trail have been known
17:14
to see grizzlies working the ridges. Out in a
17:16
fishing bridge lake area, the shoreline and nearby
17:19
forest can draw bears looking for roots and vegetation,
17:22
especially later in the season. Blacktail Plateau.
17:26
The roadside and the trail itself often feature
17:29
berry patches that attract both grizzlies and
17:31
black bears. There's also another spot that is
17:34
truly awesome for seeing grizzlies in the fall,
17:37
but I'm holding off on that until next week's
17:38
episode. I can talk about it too much, so stay
17:41
tuned or whatever the podcast version of that
17:43
is for next week's episode. If you're hoping
17:46
to hike and see a bear, first of all, don't make
17:49
that your goal. There's plenty of Yellowstone
17:52
hiking trails that cut right through bear habitat,
17:54
though, and during hyperphasia, your odds of
17:56
seeing one go up. The Mount Washburn Trail and
17:58
Avalanche Peak are probably the most famous for
18:00
late summer sightings, thanks to those pine nuts
18:03
that they love to eat. The Hill Roaring Creek
18:05
Trail near Tower is another spot where grizzlies
18:08
are sometimes spotted in the meadows. Hikers
18:10
on the Pelican Valley Trail near Fishing Bridge
18:13
occasionally see bears as well. Though it is
18:15
worth noting that during this time, many trails
18:18
around the park are closed specifically to minimize
18:21
bear -human conflicts. Even short hikes like
18:24
the Blacktail Plateau Trail, Slough Creek Trail,
18:28
and even the Garnet Hill Loop Trail can surprise
18:30
visitors with berry foraging bears. That's fun.
18:33
Berry foraging bears. Now if you're heading out
18:36
on trails, bear spray is a must. And staying
18:39
in groups makes a big difference, as does being
18:42
very loud. Scare bears away. It's better. It's
18:45
better that way. A bear focused on food might
18:48
ignore you. but it also might not and it will
18:51
view you as a threat. So give them plenty of
18:53
space as a rule. Always. Now there's nothing
18:57
quite like seeing a bear gorging itself on berries
18:59
or pawing apart a log, but it's important to
19:02
remember just how powerful they are. Grizzlies
19:04
during hyperphasia are laser focused on food,
19:07
which makes them even less tolerant of disturbances.
19:10
They're also so locked in that they will like
19:14
out here There is a saying by hunters that a
19:17
gunshot during hunting season is actually a dinner
19:19
bell because there's going to be a gut pile left
19:22
behind. That is how ruthless bears are to find
19:25
any source of food, so take this seriously. Park
19:29
rules require staying at least 100 yards away
19:31
from bears, and honestly, more is better. A good
19:34
pair of binoculars or a spotting scope will give
19:36
you a front row seat without putting either you
19:38
or the bear at risk. If a bear attacks you, it's
19:40
probably going to be killed, and that's not cool.
19:43
And remember, anything left unattended like coolers,
19:46
backpacks that can lure bears in will. A single
19:49
food reward from people can set a bear on a path
19:51
that often ends with death for the animal. Now,
19:56
hyperphasia isn't just fun to watch. It's the
19:59
key to a bear's survival. A poor crop of whitebark
20:02
pinecones or berry failure can mean a rough year
20:04
for cubs. The fat bears put on now fuel everything.
20:09
how well they sleep and rest through the winter
20:12
during tour pour, how well they can reproduce,
20:15
and how well they'll survive until spring. For
20:19
visitors, seeing this is unforgettable. Maybe
20:21
it's a grisly silhouetted on a ridge above Dunraven
20:24
Pass, or a black bear clumsily climbing into
20:27
a berry bush along the blacktail plateau. Either
20:29
way, you're watching this, again, this rhythm
20:32
of nature that ties everything in Yellowstone
20:35
into this fabric of the wild. The weather for
20:39
the coming week Lamar Valley So Thursday starts
20:44
out pretty warm still where we're still battling
20:47
the kind of in last gasp for summer out here
20:51
73 and 36 is Thursday 71 and 33 is Friday 76
20:58
and 40 Saturday and then Sunday we start seeing
21:02
a little bit of cooling and a chance of rain.
21:04
Sunday is 69 and 41. Monday is 71 and 40 with
21:08
a 21 % chance of rain. Sunday has a 24 % chance
21:12
of rain. Tuesday is 67 and 38 with a 24 % chance
21:17
of rain and Wednesday is 67 and 38 with a 24
21:20
% chance of rain. Those 24 % chance of rain with
21:24
the high in the 30s means that it might be snowing
21:26
on the Beartooth Highway. Gardner, Montana. Thursday,
21:30
High of 76, Low of 38. Friday, High of 73, Low
21:35
of 36. Saturday, High of 80, Low of 43. Sunday,
21:40
24 % chance of rain, High of 73, Low of 43. Monday,
21:45
20 % chance of rain, High of 75, Low of 43. The
21:54
41 is a low 24 % chance of rain and Wednesday
21:58
highest 70 low of 41 20 % chance of rain for
22:02
West Yellowstone Thursday highest 77 low of 35
22:06
Friday highest 74 low of 30 Saturday highest
22:11
77 low of 39 with a 15 % chance of rain Sunday
22:16
Highest 71 Low of 38 24 % chance of rain Monday
22:20
Highest 72 Low of 38 18 % chance of rain Tuesday
22:25
Highest 68 Low of 36 24 % chance of rain Wednesday
22:31
Highest 68 Low of 35 19 % chance of rain Finally
22:37
Cody Wyoming Thursday Highest 75 Low of 44 should
22:41
be pretty windy Friday High of 69, low of 44.
22:46
Saturday, high of 78, low of 51. Sunday, high
22:49
of 79, low of 56 with a 22 % chance of rain.
22:54
Monday, high of 82, low of 55, 8 % chance of
22:57
rain. Tuesday, high of 79, low of 53, 17 % chance
23:02
of rain. And Wednesday, a high of 78, low of
23:06
52, 16 % chance of rain. The snowpack update,
23:10
soon. Nothing in this week's episode, but it
23:12
might be back in a month. Hopefully fingers crossed
23:15
Road conditions all major roads and most side
23:18
roads are open right now in and around Yellowstone
23:20
This includes Dunraven Pass and the Beartooth
23:23
Highway and for up -to -date road information
23:25
call 307 -344 -2117 for recorded information
23:30
Or you can do what we all do is sign up for text
23:32
alerts on our cell phones by texting the number
23:35
eight two one nine zero to the number eight eight
23:40
eight 777 Camping information Every campground
23:45
in the park that is going to open this year is
23:47
open except for Indian Creek, which is closing
23:50
on the 7th Throughout the park right now. There
23:53
are numerous campsites available for the coming
23:55
week. So check it out. You should have good luck
23:58
the wildlife watching update so things are starting
24:02
to pick up here in the park as you heard earlier
24:05
the elk rut is starting and Was in the park if
24:10
you're listening to this when it comes out on
24:12
Thursday, September 4th. I was in the park late
24:15
last night on the third and the famous Bull elk
24:20
number 24 is running around bugling chasing females
24:25
and Trying to scare off any of the other bull
24:29
elk that are around it is an active active place
24:32
Please if you go to mammoth to watch the elk
24:36
rut Listen to the Rangers to are out there with
24:39
megaphones telling you where to go the elk are
24:42
Running around a lot and covering the ground
24:45
much faster than you can so pay attention Don't
24:49
post up anywhere too dangerous. Listen to the
24:52
rangers and enjoy the elk bugling. This evening
24:55
it was truly magical. It was awesome. So happy
24:58
I was able to get out there. Now, elsewhere in
25:02
the park, bison are all over the northern range
25:05
right now. so many bison jams the pronghorn are
25:09
on the move there are a lot out by gardener on
25:13
the road out toward gardener for mammoth there's
25:15
also a lot in little america out by slew creek
25:19
and by lamar valley so check that out also there's
25:23
been some grizzlies out in lamar valley especially
25:26
way off in the distance on the other side of
25:29
the river as you're driving through. So you'll
25:32
have to have a spotting scope or binoculars to
25:34
see them. There's also been some good wolf action
25:36
out in SLU. They weren't active this evening,
25:39
but they're active this morning. So the morning
25:41
of the third Wednesday morning. And that should
25:44
still be there. There's been some bears active
25:47
in Hayden as well. The bears are also pretty
25:51
active. Black bears, especially on the. Blacktail
25:54
Plateau Drive. I drove that this afternoon and
25:58
saw two different black bears within a mile of
26:01
each other. I also have seen moose near Hell
26:04
Roaring the last few days, so I checked that
26:07
out. They may not be out there, but you know,
26:10
you never know. If you could hear that horn honk,
26:12
I live by the train tracks, so sometimes I don't
26:15
always edit it out. Elsewhere, I will be talking
26:20
about where to see bears. Next week in a lot
26:23
more details so check that out But if you do
26:26
want to see some bears head over Dunraven Pass
26:28
Go out the east entrance and go out toward Lamar
26:32
Slough Creek early mornings are really your best
26:34
time Yes, I saw some black bears middle of the
26:36
day But try and find places where there's lots
26:40
of berries try and find places where there's
26:42
some good talus slopes where they might be flipping
26:44
rocks But the best thing to do put in the miles
26:48
look for people looking at wildlife Stop and
26:51
enjoy that wildlife and again like I mentioned
26:54
last week if you see people looking through spotting
26:56
scopes Don't assume that you can just look through
26:59
their spotting scope Bighorn sheep have been
27:01
spotted over Dunraven and then out toward kind
27:05
of that calcite Springs area again So that's
27:08
a good place to see them also out the east entrance
27:10
Very good place to see them elk all over the
27:14
place out of the north entrance, especially from
27:17
Gardner to, you know, I mentioned it earlier,
27:20
but from Gardner to Yellowstone Hot Springs,
27:22
especially is good. Other than that, wildlife
27:25
watching is going to continue to be active, especially
27:28
with these cooler temperatures. That's really
27:31
going to help things. So as the temperatures
27:34
cool, they're going to be active a little longer
27:37
during the day, which is great if you're not
27:39
a morning or an evening person, but really still
27:42
the best time early morning. Late afternoon early
27:45
evening late evening. That's gonna be your best
27:48
time for real wildlife activity Otherwise if
27:51
you drive around the middle of the day, you might
27:53
get lucky, but you'll see lots of bison You'll
27:55
see lots of pronghorn. You'll see some other
27:57
cool things and it's honestly a great time just
28:00
drive around put in the miles and You know have
28:03
fun If you love what you're hearing on this podcast
28:07
and want more information a wildlife watching
28:09
or hiking Consider getting a copy of my Wildlife
28:12
Watching or Hiking Guidebooks to the region.
28:14
They're available in both paperback and ebook
28:17
formats, and my book will help you spot wildlife
28:20
like a season local and hike the best trails.
28:23
So please consider buying a book directly from
28:25
me, as I make basically nothing when they're
28:27
sold on Amazon. So if you want to, please grab
28:29
your copy at outdoor -society .com. Ebooks are
28:33
just $10 for both books. Well, for each book,
28:37
but $10 for each book. Trail alerts and updates
28:41
currently as a time of this recording all trails
28:44
that are supposed to be open in the park are
28:45
open Trails in the bear management are not included
28:48
in the statement. There's some rules and things
28:51
I I'm trying to update it But the best thing
28:54
to do is to check out the backcountry conditions
28:57
page of Yellowstone National Park That link is
28:59
in the show notes to this episode my truck of
29:02
the week this week's trail pick Keeps up a bit
29:06
of a trend that I've had and what trend is that
29:08
you ask? Lately I've been spotlighting hikes
29:11
that are more off the beaten path They're trucks
29:13
that are best suited for hikers looking for a
29:16
challenge and a truly memorable day in Yellowstone
29:19
Especially in the backcountry of Yellowstone
29:21
for day hikes if you're hoping for an easier
29:23
option this time around Please just reach out
29:26
to me happy to suggest something or you know
29:29
You can pick up one of my hiking guidebooks and
29:32
that will give you hiking trails for all levels
29:35
There's $10. I'm not trying to plug them too
29:38
much, but they're super cheap. This week's trail
29:41
comes straight from my guidebook, and it's Sepulcher
29:44
Peak. Hiking around Mammoth Hot Springs often
29:47
feels chaotic, with boardwalks, zigzagging across
29:51
steaming terraces, and plenty of infrastructure
29:53
all around. It's easy to assume that solitude
29:56
isn't possible here. I won't stop that, too,
30:00
until I hike the Sepulcher Peak loop. Beginning
30:02
right next to Liberty Cap in the heart of Mammoth,
30:05
this 13 -mile loop is now one of my favorite
30:08
summer and fall hikes. Climbing to over 9 ,600
30:12
feet, Sepultura offers sweeping views of Yellowstone's
30:15
northwest corner, rivaled only by the jaw -dropping
30:18
summit and nearby Electric Peak, and Electric
30:20
Peak is a 20 -mile day, so this is much easier.
30:24
Like much of the park, this is prime bear country,
30:27
so carry bear spray, keep it handy, and know
30:29
how to use it. The trail itself is a gym. It
30:33
starts out in a shaded gully for about a half
30:35
mile before the real climbing begins. You'll
30:37
get nearly 2 ,000 feet of gain in the first three
30:40
miles. So yeah, it's a bit of a workout. But
30:43
with every step, the views get better. Around
30:46
the three mile mark, after a set of switchbacks,
30:49
you'll crest a ridge that opens up for your first
30:51
big panoramic view. It's the perfect spot for
30:54
a snack and a breather. And then from here, the
30:57
trail levels out briefly, only to climb again.
31:00
another 500 feet and just a half a mile. Now
31:03
the ups and downs here continue as you wind along
31:05
ridges and you move in and out of forests and
31:08
eventually you face the final climb at about
31:10
4 .5 miles in. That last push really makes it
31:15
feel like a mountain hike. Jagged rock towers
31:17
loom on one side while trees cling to steep slopes
31:21
on the other. Marmots skitter across the rocks
31:23
and birds circle overhead as you grind out those
31:26
last few hundred vertical feet. At the top, Take
31:30
the short boot path to the right. It leads to
31:32
a rocky purge with jaw -dropping views of the
31:35
Yellowstone River, the town of Gardiner, and
31:37
Electric Peak. This is a great spot to eat a
31:40
lunch, take photos, and soak up the fact that
31:43
you've made it to the highest point of your day.
31:46
The views don't stop here, though. Following
31:48
the ridge, you'll get a close -up view of Electric
31:50
Peak before dipping back down into the trees.
31:53
About a half mile beyond the summit viewpoint,
31:56
the trail starts a long, sweeping descent. It's
31:59
a mile and a half of switchbacks that many say
32:02
offers the best scenery on the hike. As you zigzag
32:06
down the flank of the mountain, Swan Lake Flats
32:09
stretches out below you, framed by mountains
32:11
in every direction. Once you reach the forest
32:14
again, it's a quick half mile to a junction where
32:16
you'll turn left and follow a creek. In less
32:19
than a mile, you reach another junction and you'll
32:21
stay left here too. The trail meanders through
32:24
clearings and wooded sections, eventually bringing
32:26
you to the upper terrace of Mammoth after about
32:29
11 miles total. Here you'll skirt past some thermal
32:33
features before spotting the pavement paved loop
32:36
road. You can either continue on the trail back
32:39
down or you can be like me and hop on the road
32:41
and enjoy a walk past overlooks and terraces
32:44
that most folks only glimpse from their cars.
32:48
Before long, you'll find yourself back among
32:50
Mammoth's Boardwalks and the bustle of the area,
32:53
completing a loop that blends wilderness, solitude,
32:56
and classic Yellowstone scenery. Next week. In
33:00
next week's episode, I return with all the information
33:03
you need to have a good week in the park, including
33:05
wildlife, weather, and trail updates. I'll also
33:08
probably regale you with some fun stories from
33:11
the last few weeks, but until then, thank you
33:14
so much for listening, and happy trails! This
33:27
week in Yellowstone is brought to you by the
33:29
Outdoor Society, because that's my company and
33:32
that's where this is hosted. There are no sponsors.
33:35
This is a labor of love, so thank you all for
33:37
listening. Copyright 2025, baby!