Sky Rim Loop Trail

There are some different options for starting and ending this hike, but the route I did started at Buffalo Horn Trailhead and ends at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead, and is approximately 42 miles total. I did the trail over the course of three and a half days, spending three nights in the backcountry.  No permits were needed (the trail is within the Custer-Gallatin National forest. I did call and ...

The trail down Bacon Rind Creek starts along HWY 191, between West Yellowstone and Big Sky. The trail starts at about 7,000 feet of elevation and the first two miles of trail are located inside Yellowstone National Park. The trail then continues through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and will climb significantly more than the first two miles.The skiing is easy, especially if someone has already bro...

The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is equipped with adequate parking.The trail starts off easy and winds past a few small ponds before reac...

The Madison River runs for 183 miles through Wyoming and Montana; however, this section of the Madison is between Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake. You get there by driving along Hebgen Lake Road to the Campfire Lodge Resort. Turn into here and head down the dirt road to your right (Ghost Village Rd). You can park anywhere along this road where there is space.  The kinds of flies that are going ...

Hebgen Lake is a beautiful lake, just outside of Yellowstone National Park. With 21 square miles of surface, there's plenty to fish.A favorite place to access the lake for ice fishing is by Kirkwood Resort and Marina. There's easy parking, and you can just walk right out on the lake. The locals there will be very friendly, and give you pointers if you've never been ice fishing.Ice fishing can r...

The trailhead is easy to find, and has a vault toilet and a decently sized parking lot. The trail leaves from right next to the toilets, and is very easy to follow. Follow a couple easy switchbacks down the hillside, cross the memorial bridge and stop to take in the beautiful scenery before following the trail up the opposite bank. The trail meanders near  the river, and in the winter the rock ...