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If you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know. We plan to add trails and hikes that will be of interest to the seasoned backcountry hiker or first time visitor. We will include tips and hints along the way.
Happy Trails to You!
The trail goes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a place most visitors, and a lot of hikers, think is impossible to get to. Actually, there are other ways, but those will remain unmentioned. The hiker can get unique and inspiring views of the Canyon, Mt. Washburn and the Yellowstone River itself from various points along this trail. This one is highly recommended. It's a must do hike.
Start at Glacial Boulder, just north of Canyon Village. As you head toward Inspiration Point, by road, turn left onto the road to Glacial Boulder. Park at the Boulder and climb up on it. This is the traditional start of the 7-Mile Hole Trail. It's hard and slippery, but give it a try.
The terrain for the first section of the trail is rolling lodgepole forest, with glimpses of the Canyon rim to your right. At 1 mile, head for the rim to see Silver Cord Cascade on the far side of the Canyon. There are lots of great spots to sit and look, so take a minute, rest and enjoy. Back on the trail, you have about 2 more miles of rolling forest until the terrain changes. Enjoy and look for mule deer.
Soon you will see a turn ahead and a big meadow on your left. Make some noise, especially if you are alone (and you shouldn't be) sing or talk loudly to yourself, because this meadow is at the foot of Mt. Washburn and grizzly have been known to hang around there. Wouldn't you? Wapiti also can be seen in this meadow and so can hikers headed for Washburn. Stay right, towards the rim and get your knees ready for some serious downhill hiking. After a bit more of the forest, you will start down into the Hole. You'll hit the Goat Trail at this point, a series of wicked switchbacks in a highly eroded condition (for Yellowstone). Be careful! Stop about halfway down the Goat Trail and look across the Canyon wall (which you are now hanging on) at the game trails in the powdered rhyolite. These animals can walk on sloped surfaces that would give you nightmares!
You are now committed to the bottom. You will soon come into a forested section and the trail broadens out a bit, and relaxes, though the slope is still closer to vertical than not. You will start to see thermal features and will come to a hot springs area with a semi-extinct geyser cone on your right. It's tempting to go up and around behind the cone, look in or get your picture taken. Don't do it! The crust is really thin and changeable in ANY thermal area, and here especially. Ignore the spur trail you see going behind the cone, and stay safe.
Beyond this point, you will think you've walked into a desert. This is just due to thermal activity and the beginning of the bottom of the Canyon, mixed together. Remember, the Canyon is part of the caldera rim, so expect more thermal activity. The forest is now behind you and you can see the Yellowstone River, refreshing, green and cool. Depending on where you are headed, if you are overnighting or not, you can now pretty much just drop your pack and explore. By the way, if you are overnighting, the best sites are to your left, back into the forest. Go down to the river and cool off, at your own risk. I don't recommend swimming, the water is bitterly cold and amazingly swift. You could end up in real trouble or worse. Be very careful and don't risk your life or let someone else risk theirs!
After you have been to the bottom, explored, rested and generally looked around... take the underground escalator back to the top! Only kidding, guess what? You now have to climb out of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! Don't think of it that way, just take your time, breathe steadily and stop and look behind you occasionally. But don't leave the bottom without looking at what the thermal activity and the river have done to the Canyon walls down here. Some of the most amazing geology in Yellowstone.
Look for ouzels, osprey and the occasional bald eagle at the bottom.
Fill your water bottles at the bottom, using a filter or tablets.
Watch for riverside thermals under the rocks - very well hidden and dangerous.
The Hole is a very special place - just think about where you are and be nice to it.
Tread lightly, have fun and happy trails!
