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Posted by Ballpark Frank (66.58.238.35) on 10:58:11 07/18/12
In Reply to: Outstanding response posted by Yellowbelly
Yellowbelly,
I've only been on that stretch of trail on the Hellroaring trail network, and that has been up to, but just short of topping out on the Buffalo Plateau.
On the Slough Creek side, Kent and I skied the first mile or so of the trail that heads north from the campground about 8 or 9 years ago. The crossing is between Campsites 5 and 7. We had the company of a small herd of bison bulls. I have no knowledge of a trail from First Meadow.
Mark Marschall says the entire trek is 22 miles, with a 1,900 vertical foot gain. His description takes the reader from the Hellroaring trailhead to the Slough Creek Campground. I have to believe there is a serious difference in elevation between those two trailheads, but once you reach the Yellowstone River, you are probably a bit lower than Slough Creek Campground. I would just hate to face that uphill from the river after walking 21.5 miles. I know what it felt like after doing Hellroaring Mtn.!
Gulo Gulo has backpacked the area you are looking at. If he sees this post, maybe he will comment.
You would definitely have plenty of flora, fauna, and scenery on this wander.
One caution I would add is if you were to do this hike in early September, be aware that bow season commences the first Saturday of September, and this trail spends some time in the national forest. If I were up there then, I would be wearing a lot of blaze orange!
Ballpark
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