Steve,

Thanks for commenting! I’m envious of your upcoming trip.

I love the Fawn Pass and Specimen Creek Trails and I think they’d both be lovely outings. Many of the first miles of these trails are in tree cover, with peeking far-off views. The views get better the higher you climb. I’d, thus, recommend these two trails if you’re able to walk 10-12+ miles roundtrip on snowshoes so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The Lamar River Trail will provide more immediate views, as the terrain is wide open from the trailhead. That said, the early miles of this trail are quite easy going, flat and likely to be packed down well by folks who’ve come before you. It might feel a little less like a backcountry experience.

May I also recommend a winter ascent of Bunsen Peak outside of Mammoth Hot Springs. This would be a full day for a very fit snowshoer. Travel from Mammoth Hot Springs to the foot of Bunsen Peak via the Snow Pass Trail, then ascend and descend the mountain via the summer hiking trail, then descend back to Mammoth Hot Springs via the snowcoach/snowmobile road. Take care on the very top of Bunsen Peak as it can be possible avalanche terrain. If danger exists, don’t go all the way to the summit without the proper experience and gear.

Finally, I might also recommend taking the snowcoach from Mammoth Hot Springs to the Indian Creek Warming Hut. From there, you can snowshoe mostly off-trail westward. The views quickly open up and it’s spectacular. It’s a few miles across relatively flat terrain to some mountains of the Gallatin Range. You’d return to the Indian Creek Ski Hut to take the snowcoach back to Mammoth Hot Springs at the end of your day. This type of trip, since it’s off-trail, is for folks highly experienced with backcountry navigation. And, if you make it into the mountains, this is avalanche terrain so don’t continue into them without the proper experience and gear.

Happy snowshoeing!

Thanks for your report and thanks to all for the comments. I am going snowshoeing out in Yellowstone for a few days in early January. I have experience hiking and snowshoeing in the park. I am in physical shape and am looking for an experience in the backcountry. Could you or anyone else recommend some appropriate snowshoe trails?

Here are some I have read about/ been told about:
Fawn Pass (off of 191)
Specimen Creek (191)
Pebble Creek
Lamar River Trail

Any suggestions would be of great help.
Thanks!

Working to make it back this (or next) winter. Thanks for your inspiring account of your travels.

Ellen, I’d suggest the road up to Tower Falls. From Gardiner, you can drive south to Mammoth (5 miles) then east (~21 miles) to Tower Junction, park, and snowshoe 2 miles up the Tower Falls along the road, which is closed to vehicles. Another option, check with the front desk at the Mammoth Hotel, about catching the shuttle coach to Indian Creek to snowshoe that loop. Also the NPS rangers at the Albright Visitor Center give snowshoe tours a couple times a week.

Trail courtesy dictates to snowshoe to the side of ski tracks, and not over the ski tracks!