Backpacker Magazine – August 2008

Trip Finder: Waterfall Hikes

Nine ways to get your cascade fix from Tennessee to Montana.

by: Steve Johnson

Mountain West

Yellowstone National Park, WY
If this easy seven-mile out-and-back to secluded backcountry camping doesn't turn you on, the six-tiered, 140-foot Terraced Falls will. Set out on the South Boundary Trail north of Grassy Lake Reservoir. After a mile, turn left onto Terraced Falls Trail and head to the edge of a 70,000-year-old lava flow to view the falls, one of the biggest in the park's southwest corner. Backtrack to the Pitchstone Plateau Trail and go east three miles to two campsites. nps.gov/yell

Hyalite Creek, MT
The Hyalite Creek Trail, in the Gallatin Range south of Bozeman, has it all: falls, lakes, mountains. Tucked into a quiver of 10,000-foot peaks, Hyalite Creek boasts 11 unnamed slinky falls along the five-mile trek to Hyalite Lake. It's an ice climber's paradise in winter; a backpacker's in summer. Make basecamp in the craggy cirque basin and strike out the next morning to the summit of Hyalite Peak, two miles north. Head out on day three. fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin

Uncompahgre Wilderness, CO
Save the best for last (secluded Porphyry Falls) on this 29-miler. Take Wetterhorn Basin Trail over Cimarron Ridge to Wetter- horn Basin. Then go cross-country to Matterhorn Peak. Loop west on Trail 227 to reach the Cimarron River. Detour downhill two miles to Porphyry Basin and horsetailing Porphyry Falls before exiting at Middle Fork. Shuttle required. ouraytrails.org

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