Mt. Everts Mosaic

This activity is the result of considerable "Pre-Hike Engineering". Those who have been on top of Mt. Everts may recognize the narrow glacial valleys that enter the promotional photo from the lower right edge and continue toward the upper center of the image. Those valleys host ephemeral ponds early in the summer season. A few of the larger ones persist into autumn. You can see just a sliver of the nearest one, while the next valley over is much longer and wider. This itinerary is an amalgam of piece parts of 4 or 5 different hike segments. The plan is to ascend the mountain from the Lava Creek Picnic Area and traverse the somewhat flat top to the area where this photo was taken. From that area, we will head in the general direction of Electric Peak, either hugging the ridgeline at left or sidehilling the north-facing side of the ridge on the left portion of the photo. The idea is to reach the area we used to hike to in springtime on the northwest side of the mountain, where we commonly find large herds of elk migrating back to their summer range after re-entering the park in the vicinity of the North Entrance. Of course, since the Flood of 2022 and the catastrophic loss of the Rescue Creek trail bridge over the Gardner River, we have not been able to access that area. Our plan for this coming Saturday is to reach the highest open point in that area, where we will make a sharp left turn and intersect the Rim Trail that employees, locals, and a select few adventurers from afar used to use for one-way or roundtrip hikes between the Rescue Creek trailhead and the Lava Creek Picnic Area or vice-versa.

If you are not familiar with this area, much of the preceding info will be relatively useless, but trust me, this mostly off-trail wander takes one through one of the more wildlife-rich portions of Yellowstone National Park. It also accesses numerous stunning viewpoints. This plan should give us views of somewhere between 270 and 300 degrees of the view available from Mt. Everts, including the perspective of Mammoth Hot Springs, historic Ft. Yellowstone, the "Boneyard", and the Gardiner River from high above it all on The Rim. Whatever you do, don't forget your camera or at least, your phone!

We will visit the scenic southwest corner of the mountain where one can see 3, some say 4, of the waterfalls viewable from that southern terminus of The Rim Trail. Osprey Falls, Rustic Falls, Undine Falls, and Wraith Falls are all visible from that corner, although I don't think I have ever found the exact rumored spot that affords a simultaneous view of all 4. I can always see 3, but I think different spots prevent a sighting of either Osprey Falls or Rustic Falls, but gets you real close to all 4.

The weather forecast for Saturday in Mammoth reads "A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65." I recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots if you have a pair. We could find ourselves crossing a few "moist" areas at the distant end of those glacial valleys. Also, if you have hiking poles and a lightweight camp chair, bring them too. Don't forget the bear spray. It is tick season, so spray tick repellent on your pants legs, particularly from the knees down. If you have a pair of gaiters, I also recommend you bring them. The rest of your kit should consist of the usual summer hiking gear, which includes sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a rain/wind protection outer layer, adequate liquid, and lunch/snacks.

See y'all Saturday!

Ballpark