Wyoming

Hiking in the Beartooth Mountains of Wyoming

Program No. 22798RJ
Trek through the magnificent Beartooth Mountains and Shoshone National Forest as you learn about their unique geology and ecology, and absorb their natural beauty.

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At a Glance

Beartooth. Shoshone. Absaroka. When it comes to the mountains of Wyoming, even the names are poetic. Hike off the beaten path through undulating hills and alpine meadows as you explore the natural wonders of these remote and glorious mountains. Join seasoned naturalists to learn about the geological forces that gave rise to dramatic cliffs, lush valleys and windswept plateaus. Encounter exquisite lakes and babbling creeks in this rich riparian habitat, and discover the abundance of life that survives at this altitude, including the mighty grizzly bear.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Daily hikes up to 6 miles on rocky, uneven terrain. Elevations up to 11,000 feet.
Micro Group
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy invigorating hikes in magnificent high country.
  • Discover a high-elevation ecosystem teeming with plant and animal life forms, and learn about their habitat.
  • Absorb the unsung beauty of Wyoming as you hike from one staggeringly beautiful vista to the next.

General Notes

This is a Micro Group program, with 12 or fewer participants. Roommate matching is unavailable for solo travelers on this program.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Leslie Stoltz
Raised and educated in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Leslie Stoltz now lives in Big Sky, Montana, surrounded by the wild places that she loves. Her decade of work for the National Park Service in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks in the areas of research and education provided a wonderful foundation for her career as a teacher and park expert. Since the early 1990s, Leslie has worked for a variety of companies and non-profit organizations, teaching classes and leading trips in national parks and wild areas throughout the American West. Farther afield, she has led educational trips to Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania, Botswana, Ecuador, and Mexico. Leslie also runs a non-profit with a mission to keep kids connected to the outdoors though scholarship opportunities for outdoor learning experiences.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Leslie Stoltz
Leslie Stoltz View biography
Raised and educated in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Leslie Stoltz now lives in Big Sky, Montana, surrounded by the wild places that she loves. Her decade of work for the National Park Service in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks in the areas of research and education provided a wonderful foundation for her career as a teacher and park expert. Since the early 1990s, Leslie has worked for a variety of companies and non-profit organizations, teaching classes and leading trips in national parks and wild areas throughout the American West. Farther afield, she has led educational trips to Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania, Botswana, Ecuador, and Mexico. Leslie also runs a non-profit with a mission to keep kids connected to the outdoors though scholarship opportunities for outdoor learning experiences.
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Gene Ball View biography
Raised along the rural Louisiana-Texas border, Gene's early outdoor experiences began a lifelong interest in wildlife, western heritage and preservation. After teaching and serving as director for the Hill Country Arts Foundation and Cowboy Artists Museum in Texas, he migrated to Wyoming to work at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. He then became director of the Yellowstone Association and Yellowstone Institute in Yellowstone National Park, and now freelances as a writer and naturalist.
Profile Image of Kathy Lichtendahl
Kathy Lichtendahl View biography
As a resident of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for more than 25 years, Kathy Lichtendahl has spent much of that time hiking, backpacking and skiing the area. Kathy was a member of Park County Search and Rescue for a dozen years and now works as a professional conservation photographer covering the wildlife and landscapes of the western United States. Kathy is a certified interpretive group leader through the National Association for Interpretation.
Profile Image of Zack Baker
Zack Baker View biography
Zack Baker attended high school in Livingston, Montana, 52 miles north of Yellowstone. His love for the park started while snowshoeing and observing wildlife. At Montana State University in Bozeman, he earned a B.S. in plant science, but it was Yellowstone’s mammals that grabbed his interest. He led private wildlife watching, hiking, and photography trips, and drove snowcoaches in the winter. He joined up with Road Scholar in 2017 and is now the Program Director for Road Scholar at the University of Montana Western.
Profile Image of Ilene Cohen
Ilene Cohen View biography
Ilene Cohen grew up on the east coast but knew from a young age that she wanted to live in the western mountains. Ilene and her husband settled in Dillon, Montana over two decades ago to raise their son and enjoy all the beauty and opportunities of Montana. Ilene worked for the University of Montana Western for 17 years in student success services. One of her retirement goals was to work for Road Scholar in order to spend more time in Yellowstone and the Beartooths.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
Date
Sep 09 - Sep 14
  • Jun 10 - Jun 15
  • Aug 19 - Aug 24
  • Sep 02 - Sep 07
  • Sep 09 - Sep 14
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Sep 9 - Sep 14, 2024 Itinerary Differences: 8 shorter hikes in the Beartooth Mountains, with the ability to opt out after lunch.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
Sep 09 - Sep 14
  • Jun 10 - Jun 15
  • Aug 19 - Aug 24
  • Sep 02 - Sep 07
  • Sep 09 - Sep 14
Sep 9 - Sep 14, 2024 Itinerary Differences: 8 shorter hikes in the Beartooth Mountains, with the ability to opt out after lunch.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Program Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Crandall Creek
D
Hunter Peak Ranch

Activity note: Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:00-6:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: In the lodge dining room, we will have a family-style welcome dinner. You’re welcome to bring your own choice of beverage.

Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. During the program, our hikes will be led by an expert naturalist in addition to our Group Leader. Hikes each day will be up to 6 miles with an elevation gain of 600-1,000 feet. Transportation to and from trailheads will be via van unless specified otherwise. Remember to bring a reusable water bottle that you can bring with you on hikes; ice water will be available in the vans to refill water bottles. The Beartooth Plateau/Absaroka Mountains area is at high altitude with hikes on trails at elevations from 7,000' to 11,000'. At high altitudes you are more susceptible to dehydration and altitude sickness. Carrying a water bottle with you and drinking plenty of water is important and a simple way to avoid these unpleasant and sometimes dangerous problems. Dehydration can affect a variety of people differently so its best to stay hydrated. Hikes are planned but be aware that schedule/hiking locations may change at the last minute due to weather, trail conditions or wildlife activity. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Beartooth & Absaroka Mountain Natural History, First Hike
Crandall Creek
B,L,D
Hunter Peak Ranch

Activity note: Hike approximately 6 miles at a elevation closer to 7,000' to get acclimated. Established, uneven wildland trails, possible elevation gain of 600'-1000' Each day two hikes will be offered. Those not interested in continuing after lunch will have the option to return to the lodge.

Breakfast: In the lodge dining room.

Morning: We will begin our day with an expert-led introduction to the natural history of the mighty Beartooth Plateau and Absaroka Mountains in north central Wyoming’s magnificent high country. Then, mid-morning, we will hop aboard the van and ride to the trailhead for our first hiking field trip led by our naturalist. A benefit of this impressive area’s isolation is lightly used trails. Hiking here provides opportunities to explore beautiful country and learn about its natural history along the way.

Lunch: Along the trail, we’ll have sack lunches that are prepared in the morning at the ranch.

Afternoon: Those choosing to opt out of the second hike can return to the lodge. For those choosing to keep hiking, our hike will continue through mixed forest habitat where we will see and learn about the geology of this incredible, mountainous portion of the west. The poetry of its names — Beartooth, Shoshone, Absaroka — and the result of violent geology make this a place that stamps itself into memory for anyone fortunate enough to hike its trails.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: We’ll gather and get to know more about this remote, pristine land with a presentation on its ecology and wildlife by a naturalist. Located to the northeast of Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is an important part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Managed strictly by the U.S. Forest Service, the wilderness is home to the largest area of unbroken land above 10,000 feet in the continental United States.

DAY
3
Full Day Hiking
Crandall Creek
B,L,D
Hunter Peak Ranch

Activity note: Hiking up to 6 miles with elevation gain up to 1,000 feet. Bring binoculars and a camera to record the experience. Each day two hikes will be offered. Those not interested in continuing after lunch will have the option to return to the lodge.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will hop in the SUVs and ride to the trailhead for a hiking field trip that will take us to exquisite, subalpine lakes and creeks, meadows, and pockets of timber. Our naturalist will explain how wildlife use this habitat including the plants that grow here. We’ll learn about the miracle of survival and interdependence of various species including Whitebark pine, Clark’s nutcracker, squirrels, grizzly bears, and more.

Lunch: Sack lunches prepared in the morning at the ranch.

Afternoon: Those choosing to opt out of the second hike can return to the lodge. For those choosing to keep hiking,Our field trip will continue with hiking amid riparian habitat and other high elevation life zones. The lush diversity of plant life that bursts forth each short summer is a miracle to behold knowing that, too soon, winter will resume its frigid, iron grip. We’ll learn about nature’s astonishing, high elevation coping mechanisms.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Full Day Hiking
Crandall Creek
B,L,D
Hunter Peak Ranch

Activity note: Hiking up to 6 miles with possible elevation gain of between 600' to 1,000'. Hikes are learning hikes with trailside interpretation. Each day two hikes will be offered. Those not interested in continuing after lunch will have the option to return to the lodge.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will ride into the mountains for our day’s hike. As we hike along trails, our naturalist will shed light on the region’s human history including use by hunger-gatherers and later explorers, trappers, miners, homesteaders, and dude ranchers.

Lunch: Sack lunches prepared that morning at the ranch.

Afternoon: Those choosing to opt out of the second hike can return to the lodge. For those choosing to keep hiking,our field trip will continue through this spectacular land of high, windswept plateaus and mountains that reveal signs of glaciation, basement rock, fault zones, and volcanics: a land of short summers and long, harsh winters; a land that reveals itself to hikers willing to take the time and make the effort.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: We’ll learn more about the ecosystem, wildlife, and the issues they face as we gather for another expert-led presentation. An immensely fragile environment, the wilderness is home to one of the few tundra biomes in the continental United States.

DAY
5
Full Day Hiking
Crandall Creek
B,L,D
Hunter Peak Ranch

Activity note: Hiking up to 6 miles with possible elevation gain of up to 1,000 feet. Each day two hikes will be offered. Those not interested in continuing after lunch will have the option to return to the lodge.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will ride to the trailhead for another exciting day on the trail. As we hike, our naturalist will tell us about the significance of this region. The Beartooth Plateau and Absaroka Mountains, their streams, life zones, life forms, and geology are an important component of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Lunch: Sack lunches prepared that morning at the ranch.

Afternoon: Those choosing to opt out of the second hike can return to the lodge. For those choosing to keep hiking, our day of hiking along lightly used trails amid staggering scenery will reveal this magnificent area’s natural history. In-person learning as it was meant to be.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: We’ll gather once more to review the program and the memories we’ve made during our hiking learning adventure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Crandall Creek
B

Activity note: Lodge check-out 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the lodge. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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