Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons

September 18-25  |  Guided $240/person
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What to Expect

DAY 1 – OLD FAITHFUL & GEYSER BASINS

6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)

Fuel + hydration focus
Encourage light packing (layers, water, snacks)
7:30 AM – Morning Briefing

Day overview
geothermal safety (stay on boardwalks)
group split explanation

👉 Keep this tight: 10–12 minutes max

7:45 AM – Departure

🚐 Travel
Drive Time: ~1 hr 40 min
9:25 AM – Arrive Old Faithful Area
9:40 AM – Both Groups Begin.
Midday Hiking Windows
Group A – Scenic (3–4 miles)
Old Faithful
Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks
Castle Geyser
Morning Glory Pool

Estimated Finish: 12:10 PM
Group B – Extended (6–7 miles)
  • All Group A highlights
  • Observation Point
  • Biscuit Basin
Estimated Finish: 12:55 PM
🥪 Lunch

12:10 – 1:40 PM – Flexible Lunch Window

Options:

Picnic sack lunch (fastest, best flow)
Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria
1:15 – 4:15 PM – Guided Free Exploration Block
Options that I suggest (not required):
  • catch another eruption
  • visitor center
  • short boardwalk loops
  • photography time
👉 I'll remain visible / lightly guiding
4:15 PM – Regroup at Visitor Area

4:30 PM – Early Dinner at Old Faithful Inn Dining Room.

🚐 Return
6:00 PM – Depart Old Faithful
7:40 PM – Arrive Headwaters Lodge
Evening Experience
8:00 PM – After-Hours Gathering (RV Campsite – TBD)
Structured lightly:
  • drinks / snacks
  • “highlight of the day” share
  • storytelling

What to expect

DAY 2 – MOUNT WASHBURN / MAMMOTH

🌅 Morning
6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)
  • Emphasize fueling (this is a bigger day)
  • Encourage extra water + trail snacks
7:30 AM – Morning Briefing
  • Clear group split logistics
  • Driving routes + meeting points
  • safety (exposure, elevation, wildlife)
👉 Be VERY clear here—this is a split-day operation
7:45 AM – Departure
🚐 Travel Split (Important)
Group A – Mammoth / Gardiner
Drive Time: ~3 hr 10 min
Arrival: ~10:55 AM
Group B – Mount Washburn (Dunraven Pass)
Drive Time: ~2 hr 20 min
Arrival: ~10:05 AM
🌄 Morning Activities
Group A – Scenic / Cultural Day
11:00 AM – Begin Mammoth Hot Springs Exploration
  • Lower + Upper Terraces
  • Boardwalk loops (~1.5 miles)
Estimated Finish: 12:00 PM
🍽️ Group A Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch at the Mammoth Dining Room
🚐 Transition to Gardiner
1:00 PM – Depart for Gardiner
Drive: ~15 minutes
1:15 PM – Arrive Gardiner
Options 1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
  • local cafés
  • Yellowstone River walk
  • Arch + historic areas
👉 This is a relaxed cultural window
Group B – Mount Washburn (Strenuous)
10:15 AM – Begin Hike (Dunraven Pass)
  • 7.0 miles RT
  • ~1,700 ft gain
  • steady climb, exposed
🥪 Trail Lunch
~12:45–1:15 PM – Summit Lunch Break
👉 This is a highlight moment:
  • panoramic views
  • group bonding

3:00 PM – Estimated Finish

Drive to Canyon Village ~20mins

Arrival at 3:20 PM

VIsit the Canyon Visitors Education Center 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

🍽️ Dinner Group A
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM – Early dinner in Gardiner with several options
 🍽️ Dinner Group B

5:00 PM - 6:15 PM - Dinner at Canyon Eatery

  • western atmosphere
  • fits the geography perfectly
  • relaxed but memorable
🚐 Evening Return

Group A Leaves Gardiner 5:00 PM

Drive Time ~3 hr 20 min

Arrival: ~8:20 PM – Headwaters Lodge & Cabins

Group B Leaves Gardiner 6:15 PM

Drive Time: ~2 hr 00 min
Arrival: ~8:15 PM – Headwaters Lodge & Cabins
🌌 Evening
No Formal After-Hours Social
Optional: Stargazing (Self-Guided)
  • low-key
  • no structure required

What to expect

DAY 3 – GRAND CANYON OF YELLOWSTONE

🌅 Morning
6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)
  • Hydrate + fuel (moderate-to-challenging day)
  • Reinforce layers (cool morning, warmer mid-day)
7:30 AM – Morning Briefing
  • Canyon overview (Upper vs Lower Falls, North vs South Rim)
  • group split logistics
  • safety (edges, footing, elevation gain)
👉 Keep this crisp and confident
7:45 AM – Departure
🚐 Travel
Drive Time: ~2 hr 00 min
Split Arrival
  • Group A (South Rim): Upper Falls Viewpoints Lot
  • Group B (North Rim): Brink of Upper Falls Lot
Arrival: ~9:45 AM
Start Time: ~10:00 AM
🌄 Morning Hikes
Group A – Scenic Canyon Highlights (South Rim)
Route:
  • Upper Falls viewpoints
  • South Rim trail
  • Artist Point
  • return
Distance: ~3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: ~270 ft
Estimated Finish: 12:15 PM
👉 This route delivers:
  • classic postcard views
  • manageable effort
  • strong early payoff
Group B – Full North Rim Experience (More Demanding):
  • Brink of Upper Falls
  • Red Rock Point (optional descent)
  • Lookout Point
  • Grand View
  • Inspiration Point
Distance: ~6.7 miles depending on extensions
Elevation Gain: ~850 ft
Trail Lunch: ~12:45–1:15 PM (overlook location)
Estimated Finish: ~3:00 PM
🥪 Midday Flow
Group A
12:30 – 1:30 PM – Lunch at Canyon Village (Fountain & Grill)
👉 Good choice:
  • efficient
  • flexible
  • keeps momentum
After Lunch
1:30 – 3:45 PM – Light Exploration Window
Options:
  • Visitor Center
  • short rim walks
  • relax/reset
👉 Keep it optional, not over-programmed
Group B
  • On trail until ~3:00 PM
  • Summit/overlook lunch already built in
🔁 Convergence Plan
Group A
3:45 PM – Transition to Dinner Area / Regroup
👉 Keeps things clean + prevents drift
Group B
3:00 PM – Finish hike
3:00 – 3:45 PM – Recovery + Visitor Center / short walk
👉 This buffer is important:
  • hydration
  • reset
  • no rushed dinner
🍽️ Dinner
4:00 PM – Dinner at Canyon Eatery
👉 Perfect choice for this day:
  • easy
  • no wait chaos
  • accommodates tired hikers
🚐 Return
5:15 PM – Depart Canyon Village
Drive Time: ~2 hr 00 min
Arrival: ~7:15 PM – Headwaters Lodge & Cabins
🔥 Evening
8:00 PM – After-Hours Social (RV Campsite – TBD)
Keep it lighter than Day 1:
  • relaxed vibe
  • recap the canyon experience
  • optional participation

What to expect

DAY 4 – Lamar Valley / Tower Falls

🌅 Morning

6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)

Emphasize layers (this is often the coolest morning)
Pack sack lunch + extra water

7:30 AM – Morning Briefing

Wildlife awareness (bison distance, wolves if lucky)
Bear safety (carry, spacing, awareness)
expectations: slower, observational day

This is not a “rush” day—it’s a watch and experience day

7:45 AM – Departure
Drive Time: ~2:40 hours for Group A;            3:10 hours for Group B

Group A → Tower Fall Trailhead
Group B → Lamar River Trailhead

Arrival Window: 10:25 AM Group A               – 10:55 AM Group B

Group A – Tower Fall + Lost Lake Loop

10:30 AM – Tower Fall Visit

short walk
~20–30 minutes

👉 Quick but iconic stop

11:00 AM – Drive to Roosevelt Area (~10 min)

🥾 Lost Lake Loop

11:15 AM – Begin Hike

4.5 miles ~725 ft gain forested, peaceful
🥪 Lunch

~12:30 PM – Lunch at Lost Lake

2:45 PM – Finish Hike

Group B – Lamar Valley (Wildlife + Open Terrain)

11:00 AM – Begin Lamar River Trail

7 miles out & back ~600 ft gain
wide valley, wildlife corridors
🥪 Trail Lunch

~12:30 PM – Lunch on Trail (scenic stop)

4:15 PM – Finish Hike
🔁 Convergence Plan

Group A

2:45 – 4:00 PM – Flexible Exploration Window

Options:
Roosevelt area relaxation
short meadow walks
wildlife spotting nearby
rest / recovery                                                                                                                                             Depart 4:00 PM for Canyon Eatery                        Arrival at ~4:50 PM 
Group B

4:15 PM – Depart Lamar Valley

Drive Time: ~1hr 15 minutes

Arrival: ~5:30 PM at Canyon Eatery
🍽️ Dinner at Canyon Eatery

Group A 5:00 - 6:15 PM                                  Group B 5:30 - 6:45 PM 

👉 Perfect repeat location:

familiar
warm, western feel
no decision fatigue
🚐 Return
6:15 - 6:45 PM – Depart Canyon Eatery
Drive Time: ~2 hr 00 min
Arrival: ~8:15 - 8:45 PM – Headwaters Lodge & Cabins
🌌 Evening

No After-Hours Social

Optional Stargazing

What to expect

DAY 5 - Jenny Lake & Hidden Falls

🌅 Morning

6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)

lighter tone than previous days
still hydrate (sun exposure increases here)

7:30 AM – Morning Briefing

explain ferry logistics clearly
set expectations: busier, more people, but iconic
reinforce regroup timing

👉 Tone shift:
This is a beauty + experience day, not a grind

7:45 AM – Departure
🚐 Travel

Drive Time: ~1hr 35 minutes

Arrival: ~9:20 AM
Park / organize / prep: ~10 minutes
Group A – Ferry + Hidden Falls / Inspiration Point

9:30–9:45 AM – Ferry Queue + Boarding Window

👉 Key instruction:

“You take the first available boat—no waiting for perfect timing”
🚶‍♂️ Hike

~10:00–11:20 AM – Hidden Falls + Inspiration Point Loop
~2 miles ~550 ft gain

👉 This is a highlight:
waterfall power
overlook payoff
🚤 Return Ferry

~12:00–12:30 PM – Return Window
12:30–1:30 PM – Lunch Window

Options:
café near Jenny Lake
sack lunch lakeside
Group B – Jenny Lake Loop (Full Experience)

9:30 AM – Begin Hike

8.4 miles ~800 ft gain
includes Hidden Falls + Inspiration Point
🥪 Trail Lunch

~12:30–1:00 PM – On Trail (lakeside or canyon stretch)

~3:30 PM – Finish Hike
🔁 Convergence Plan

Group A

1:30 – 3:30 PM – Relaxed Exploration Window

Options:
lakeshore time
photography
short walks
rest
Group B  3:30 PM – Finish + recovery water regroup light reset
🍽️ Dinner

Colter Bay Area

3:45 PM – Drive to Colter Bay (~1hr 20 min)
Arrival: ~5:05 PM

Dinner Options:
Ranch House
Cafe Court Pizzeria
Other Colter Bay dining options

👉 Casual, scenic, flexible
🚐 Return
6:20 PM – Depart Colter Bay

Drive Time: ~25 minutes

Arrival: ~6:45 PM – Headwaters Lodge & Cabins
🔥 Evening (Bring the energy back)
7:15 PM – After-Hours Social (RV Campsite)
👉 This is a GREAT night for it:
  • Tetons backdrop
  • lower fatigue than Yellowstone days

What to expect

DAY 6 - Cascade Canyon

🌅 Morning

6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)

Emphasize water + electrolytes
Pack sack lunches (Group B required, Group A optional)

7:30 AM – Morning Briefing

Ferry plan (first-available mindset)
Group split + turn-around points
bear awareness + spacing

7:45 AM – Departure
🚐 Travel
Drive Time: ~1hr 35 minutes
Arrival: ~9:20 AM
Prep / staging: 10–15 minutes
🚤 Ferry Strategy (Critical)

Target Window: 9:30–10:00 AM boarding

👉 Instruction:

“We take the first available boat—no waiting.”

This keeps both groups aligned and prevents cascade delays.
🌄 Shared Start

~10:00 AM – Begin Together

Cascade Canyon Trail from west dock
pass Hidden Falls
climb to Inspiration Point
Group A – Short Loop Immersion

Route:

continue into canyon to ~2.4-mile mark
turn back
take left-hand junction near Inspiration Point for loop return

Total: ~4.5–5 miles
Time: ~3 hours

Finish: ~1:00–1:30 PM

🥪 Group A Lunch

1:30–2:00 PM – Jenny Lake Area

sack lunch lakeside or café
Group B – Deep Canyon Experience

Route:

continue deeper into Cascade Canyon
turn around ~4.85 miles in

Total: ~9–10 miles
Time: ~6.5 hours

Trail Lunch: ~12:45–1:15 PM

Finish: ~4:00–4:30 PM
Group A (Afternoon Window)
2:30–5:00 PM – Flexible Exploration
Options:
  • Jenny Lake Loop (partial)
  • lakeshore relaxation
  • photography
  • optional second short ferry ride (if energy is high)
🔁 Convergence Plan
5:00 PM – Regroup at Jenny Lake Parking Area
🍽️ Dinner
🚐 Drive to Colter Bay

~1hr 20 minutes

Arrival: ~6:20 PM

Best Dinner Options (Colter Bay)
🥇 Ranch House
best overall group option
hearty, fast, consistent
🥈 Café Court Pizzeria
relaxed, social
great after a big hike
🥉 Colter Bay Dining Room
slightly more formal
still reasonable

👉 Keep it casual + efficient
🚐 Return
7:30 PM – Depart Colter Bay
Drive: ~25 minutes
Arrival: ~7:55 PM
🔥 Evening (This is your BEST social night)
8:15 PM – After-Hours Social (RV Campsite)

What to expect

DAY 7 - Phelps Lake vs. Taggart & Bradley Lakes

🌅 Morning

6:30 AM – Breakfast (Headwaters Lodge & Cabins)

lighter tone (no pressure day)
pack sack lunches for both groups

7:30 AM – Morning Briefing

frame the day: “Today is about enjoying, not conquering.”

optional swim / lakeside time encouraged

7:45 AM – Departure
🚐 Travel Split
Group A – Taggart & Bradley Lakes

Drive Time: ~1 hr 5 min
Arrival: ~8:50 AM
Start: ~9:00 AM

Group B – Phelps Lake (Laurance S Rockefeller TH)

Drive Time: ~1 hr 10 min
Arrival: ~8:55 AM
Start: ~9:05 AM
🌄 Morning Hikes
Group A – Taggart & Bradley Lakes

Route:

Taggart Lake → Bradley Lake → return

Distance: ~5 miles
Gain: ~650–700 ft
🥪 Lunch

~11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Bradley Lake

👉 This is a perfect moment: still water
mountain reflections, relaxed pace

Finish: ~1:30–1:45 PM
Group B – Phelps Lake Loop
Flexible Loop / Out-and-Back Hybrid

allows pacing adjustments
gives lake time without pressure

Distance: ~6.5–7.0 miles
Gain: ~800 ft
🥪 Lunch
~12:30–1:15 PM – Phelps Lake Shore
👉 Encourage:
  • shoes off
  • feet in water
  • relax
Finish: ~2:30–3:00 PM
🔁 Return to Base
Group A

~1:45 PM – Depart Trailhead
Return: ~2:50 PM

Group B

~3:00 PM – Depart Trailhead
Return: ~4:10 PM
🧘‍♂️ Afternoon Reset Window

3:00 – 5:00 PM – Recovery & Relaxation Block

Options:

showers
nap
journaling
light stretching
casual social time

👉 This is where the trip breathes
🍽️ Dinner

5:00 PM – Dinner at Sheffields (Headwaters Lodge)
🔥 Evening
7:00 PM – After-Hours Social (RV Campsite)

This is a social/community night

🌌 Stargazing (Highly Recommended)

👉 This is one of your BEST nights for it:

lower fatigue
Tetons silhouette
quieter energy

What to expect

DAY 8 - Amphitheater Lakes vs. Colter Bay

Morning Schedule
6:30 a.m. – Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – Morning Briefing (final trip reflections, travel logistics, group split clarity)
7:45 a.m. – Departure
Group A: Colter Bay (Relaxed Departure Option)

Drive Time: 25 minutes

8:10 a.m. – Arrive Colter Bay Village
8:30 a.m. – Begin walk

Route:

Colter Bay Lakeshore & Heron Pond Loop
Distance: ~2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: ~270 ft

Experience Focus:

Scenic lakeshore views of Jackson Lake
Final relaxed group time
Reflection, conversation, photos
10:00–10:30 a.m. – Finish walk
Optional: Coffee / light food stop at Colter Bay
Departure
11:00 a.m. (approx.) – Begin drive back toward Seattle

👉 This group is positioned to comfortably complete the full drive home
Group B: Amphitheater & Surprise Lakes (Epic Option)

Drive Time: ~1 hr 5 mins to Taggart Lake Trailhead

8:50 a.m. – Arrive trailhead
9:00 a.m. – Begin hike

Route:

Amphitheater & Surprise Lakes Trail

Stats:

Distance: ~10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~3,100 ft
Time: ~7–8 hours total

Key Notes:

This is a physically demanding, high-reward alpine hike
Strong pacing and hydration required
Sack lunch mandatory
~12:30–1:00 p.m. – Summit/lake area + lunch
~4:30–5:00 p.m. – Return to trailhead
Evening Logistics (Group B)
Post-hike: Quick recovery, change, refuel
Drive Plan:
Depart late afternoon / early evening
Overnight stop recommended: Caldwell, Idaho

Closing Reflections: A Journey Through the Wild

There is something timeless about this part of the world.

In Yellowstone, we witness the earth in motion—geysers breathing, rivers carving, landscapes shaped by forces far beyond our control. In the Tetons, we stand beneath mountains that rise with quiet authority, reminding us both of our smallness and our place within something far greater.

But what makes this journey truly meaningful is not only where we go—it is who we share it with.

Over the course of these days, trails become more than miles. They become conversations, laughter, quiet moments, and shared effort. Strangers become familiar, and often, something even deeper—a sense of belonging begins to take root.

Some will remember the power of Old Faithful.
Some will carry the stillness of Lamar Valley.
Others will hold onto the reflection of the Tetons in alpine water, or the feeling of standing at the edge of the canyon as the river disappears into the depths below.

And many will remember the simple, enduring joy of walking together.

As this journey comes to a close, our hope is that you leave not only with photographs, but with something less tangible and far more lasting—a renewed sense of energy, connection, and appreciation for both the natural world and the people beside you.

The trail does not end here.
It continues in the choices we make, the places we go, and the way we carry these moments forward.

Thank you for being part of this experience, and for helping make it something truly special.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail again.

— Tenderfoot Adventures