Introduction
The Teton/Washakie Wilderness Complex in the Upper Yellowstone River area south of Yellowstone Park is one of my favorite areas in the Rocky Mountains because it is big, wild and few people go there. After a couple of backpacking trips in the area, I decided to go back for a solo trip with a packraft to add a new challenge.
My plan was to take an off-trail route over the mountains to the Thorofare River, packraft down to the Yellowstone Park boundary, and then hike and raft back along the Buffalo River.
I ended up changing plans a bit due to high snow, but I met a grizzly bear, followed a pair of bald eagles, floated two rivers, and saw no one for 4 days.
My trip didn’t go as planned but it reinforced lessons I’d learned earlier about trip planning, being flexible and not getting into bad situations.
Photo Essay
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Packrafting the Upper Yellowstone River
The author ventures to the Upper Yellowstone River area and experiences the peace found only in a beautiful and remote location.
Nice trip report Luke. Sounds like a good time.
Another good trip report with good insight into decisions after the plan. Also another plus of having an inReach – river levels on demand. ?
funny thing, I tried to get to the Thorofare again and AGAIN I got turned back by high snow, although this time I went farther. No grizzly this time. I put in earlier on the Yellowstone. Just under the gorge there was a ton of wood. At low water it was okay but at pushy water levels I’d avoid the section between the gorge and Castle Creek. It could be really dangerous at certain times.
Nice write up, Luke. After the Wood River, it all must seem tame, but at least you got some grizzly action on this trip.
Great trip report. This may inspire me to get out there
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