The actual purpose for my foray into Yellowstone Nationwide Park the day prior to this was to finally find yourself at Pine Creek Campground within the Absaroka Mountains. Right here I deliberate to spend the hike and tackle the difficult 9.5-mile hike to Pine Creek Lake the next morning. However alas, the climate turned in a single day, socking within the lake with a thick fog. Unable to shake the climate after making my means round one third of the way in which as much as the lake, I opted to show round. It was not meant to be. However alongside the way in which, not less than, I used to be capable of see Pine Creek Falls, a multi-tiered chute just a little over a mile up the path.
Dashing down from the heights of the Absaroka Vary in southern Montana, the forks of Pine Creek converge simply earlier than reaching Paradise Valley, a stunning thoroughfare between the city of Livingston and Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Right here guests could make the three,500-foot ascent to Pine Creek Lake, a preferred—although strenuous—hike…or much less intrepid ones can comply with the trail partway, ending on the beautiful Pine Creek Falls. For the latter, park on the Pine Creek Trailhead and enter the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, however flip round after the falls at 1.2 miles.
The hike
Located simply previous the campground, Pine Creek Trailhead (see map) has comparatively restricted parking, so plan to reach early or use the overflow lot (the trailhead for George Lake) about 1/3 mile again. The shady trailhead is ready amid a small floodplain blanketed with pines, and the preliminary path truly briefly descends to start out. After leveling off and rising, cross the spur towards George Lake on the best, then ascend in suits and begins because the path parallels Pine Creek.
After crossing an preliminary bridge over a tributary at 1/3 mile, proceed east and south and traverse the primary creek minutes later. Thereafter the Pine Creek Path begins to climb once more, and hikers enter the practically million-acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Some delicate ups and downs lead deeper into the shady valley, with the path staying about 20-30 ft above the creek’s banks.
After the mile mark, hikers will cross the obscured confluence of the north and south forks of Pine Creek on the best, after which the trail edges left, with the roar of cascades changing into louder and louder. At 1.2 miles, the spectacular Pine Creek Falls comes into view, with a bridge over the creek providing the best viewing platform. Even late within the season, the movement of the roughly 100-foot waterfall is spectacular.
Formidable hikers can push on to Pine Creek Lake, whereas these glad with a 2.4-mile, comparatively delicate stroll ought to flip round right here. The hike to and from the falls ought to take about an hour to an hour and a half at an affordable tempo.
