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BPX 5-Day: Heart Lake and Snake River from Heart Lake TH (Yellowstone National Park)


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BPX 5-Day: Heart Lake and Snake River from Heart Lake TH (Yellowstone National Park)

Hiking to Heart Lake from the Heart Lake TH in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is a scenic trek through diverse landscapes. The trail gradually descends toward the lake, offering glimpses of the majestic Mount Sheridan and geothermal features along Witch Creek. Heart Lake, nestled at the base of Mount Sheridan, provides a serene backcountry setting ideal for backpacking, fishing, and soaking in the surrounding wilderness.

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 5-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members.

Day 1: Hike from Heart Lake TH along the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1) for approximately 7.5 miles to Heart Lake. Turn right and continue to follow the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1) for an additional 1.3 miles to the intersection with the 8H2 Campsite Spur Trail that takes you to the 8H2 Sheridan Creek campground. Turn left and follow the trail for 0.2 miles to the campground (9.1 miles, +691 / -1,102 ft.)

Route: Day 1 

Day 2: From the 8H2 Sheridan Creek campground backtrack to the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1). Turn left and continue to follow the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1) south for an additional 9.4 miles to the intersection with the trail that takes you to the 8C6 Snake River Ford campground. Turn right and follow the trail a short distance to the campground (9.6 miles, +776 / -1,277 ft.)

Route: Day 2

Day 3: From the 8C6 Snake River Ford campground backtrack to the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1). Turn right and continue to follow the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1) south for approximately 0.6 miles to the intersection with the South Boundary Trail: South Entrance-Harebell Trail. Turn left and follow it for 6.0 miles to the intersection with the Snake Canyon Trail. Go left and follow the Snake Canyon Trail to the intersection with the trail that takes you to the 8B5 Basin Creek Cutoff campground. Turn left and follow the trail a short distance to the campground (9.6 miles, +1,154 / -870 ft.)

Route: Day 3

Day 4: From the 8B5 Basin Creek Cutoff campground backtrack to the Snake Canyon Trail. Turn right and go south for 0.4 miles to the intersection with the Heart River Trail. Turn left and follow the Heart River & Trail Creek trails for 8.9 miles to the intersection with the 8J1 Campsite Spur Trail that takes you to the 8J1 Beaver Creek campground. Turn left and follow the trail for 0.4 miles to the campground (9.75 miles, +707 / -480 ft.)

Route: Day 4

Day 5: From the 8J1 Beaver Creek campground backtrack to the Trail Creek Trail. Turn left and continue to follow the Trail Creek Trail west for 1.8 miles to the intersection with the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1). Turn right and follow the Heart Lake Trail (#8N1) for 7.1 miles back to Heart Lake TH (9.35 miles, +997 / -686 ft.)

Route: Day 5

Overall Route: 47.4 miles, +-4,321 ft.

NOTE(S):

  1. Always practice Leave No Trace techniques.
  2. Please view this LINK with everything you need to know about Yellowstone National Park.
  3. Permits are required for backcountry sites in this section of YNP, and sites are designated. Find permits for Yellowstone National Park here.
  4. Yellowstone National Park Rules & Regulations
  5. CalTopo Map
  6. Driving Directions: From the Colorado Mountain Club (Golden, CO) to the Heart Lake TH.
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 47.4 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 4,321 ft
  • 8,144 ft
Map
  • 201 :: Yellowstone National Park Map
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