backcountry sites at Heart Lake, the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Shoshone Lake book up quickly, so make reservations or come with a flexible itinerary. You will need to watch a video on backcountry safety. Part of your permit goes in the car you park at the trailhead, while the main permit goes with you in your pack or on your tent. Contact the main backcountry office and consult the Backcountry Trip Planner (see above) for updates.
In Yellowstone, trailheads are sometimes referred to on maps (and in this book, where applicable) by an alphanumeric naming system, such as “Lone Star (OK1)”; a complete list of these trailhead names appears in the Backcountry Trip Planner.
Grand Teton has a similar backcountry permit system but has fewer specific numbered sites, using instead camping zones in the alpine canyons, where backpackers can choose a site within their designated zone. One-third of sites can be reserved January 1–May 15 by mail or fax, or online in real time at recreation.gov. The remaining sites are available to walk-ins no more than a day in advance. Permits cost $25 each ($35 for an advance reservation), regardless of the number of people or nights. You must pick up your permit by 10 a.m. on the day of departure. Backcountry offices at both Yellowstone and Grand Teton accept debit and credit cards, as well as cash.
Dunanda Falls (Trail 27)
CREDIT: Bradley Mayhew
On the Trail
Every outing should begin with proper preparation, which usually takes only a few minutes. Even the easiest trail can turn up unexpected surprises. People seldom think about getting lost or injured, but unexpected things can and do happen. Simple precautions can make the difference between a good story and a miserable outcome.
Use the Top Trails ratings and descriptions to determine if a particular trail is a good match with your fitness and energy level, given current conditions and time of year.
Have a Plan
Choose Wisely The first step to enjoying any trail, no matter the activity or the degree of difficulty, is to match the trail to your abilities. It’s no use overestimating your fitness or experience—know your abilities and limitations, and use the Top Trails difficulty rating that accompanies each trail.
Leave Word About Your Plans The most basic of precautions is leaving word of your intentions with friends or family. Many people will hike the backcountry their entire lives without ever relying on this safety net, but establishing this simple habit is free insurance.
It’s best to leave specific information—location, trail name, intended time of travel—with a responsible person. However, if this is not possible or if plans change at the last minute, you should still leave word. If there is a registration process available, use it. If there is a ranger station, trail register, or visitor center, check in.
Prepare and Plan
• Know your abilities and your limitations.
• Leave word about your plans.
• Know the area and the route.
Review the Route Before embarking on any hike, read the entire description, and study the map. It isn’t necessary to memorize every detail, but it is worthwhile to have a clear mental picture of the trail and general area.
If the trail or terrain is complex, augment the trail guide with a topographic map. Maps and current weather and trail-condition information are available from local ranger stations and backcountry offices, so use these resources (see Appendix).
Carry the Essentials
Proper preparation for any type of trail use includes gathering the essential items you will carry. The checklist will vary tremendously by trail and conditions.
Clothing When the weather is good, light, comfortable clothes are the obvious choice. It’s easy to believe that little in the way of spare clothing is needed, but a prepared hiker has something tucked away for the unexpected, ranging from a surprise shower to an emergency overnight in more remote areas.
Clothing includes proper footwear—essential for hiking and backpacking. Running shoes are fine for shorter trails, but if you will be carrying substantial weight or encountering sustained rugged terrain, step up to hiking boots.
In hot, sunny weather, proper clothing includes a hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt, and sunscreen. In cooler weather, particularly when it’s wet, carry waterproof outer garments and quick-drying undergarments (avoid cotton). As a general rule, whatever the conditions, bring layers that can be combined or removed to provide comfort and protection from the elements in a wide and unpredictable variety of conditions.
Water Never set out on a trail without water. At all times, but particularly in warm weather, adequate water is of key importance. Experts recommend at least 2 quarts of water per day. When hiking in heat, a gallon or more may be appropriate. At the extreme, dehydration can be life-threatening. More commonly, inadequate water causes fatigue and muscle aches.
For most outings, unless the day is very hot or the trail very long, you should plan to carry sufficient water for the entire trail. Unfortunately in North America, natural water sources are questionable, often contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and fertilizers.
Trail Essentials
• Dress to keep cool, but be ready for cold.
• Carry plenty of water.
• Have adequate food (plus a little extra).
Water Treatment If you have to use trailside water, you should filter or treat it. There are three methods: boiling, chemical treatment, and filtering. Boiling is best, but it’s often impractical because it requires a heat source, a pot, and time. Chemical treatments, readily available in outdoor stores, handle some problems—including the troublesome Giardia parasite—but they will not combat many of the chemical pollutants. The preferred method is filtration. A good filter system removes Giardia and other contaminants and doesn’t leave any unpleasant aftertaste.
If this hasn’t convinced you to carry all the water you need, one final admonishment: Be prepared for surprises. Water sources described in the text and shown on maps can change course or dry up completely, especially in late summer. Never run your water bottle dry in expectation of the next source; fill up when water is available, and always keep a little in reserve.
Food While not as critical as water, food is energy and should not be under-emphasized. Avoid foods that are hard to digest, such as sugary candy bars and fatty potato chips. Carry high-energy, fast-digesting foods, such as nutrition bars, dried fruit, jerky, and trail mix. Bring a little extra food—it’s good protection against an outing that turns unexpectedly long, perhaps due to foul weather or losing your way.
Optional Items
Map
