Top Ten Hikes for Families
		By Bryan Oettel

Hikes for Wildlife
	Cascade Lake (Canyon)
	Beaver Ponds (Mammoth)
	Trout Lake (Lamar)

GORP Trail Finder: Cascade Lake

Snow can arrive as early as
September in Yellowstone

Beaver Ponds
Mammoth area, 4.5 mile loop
One of the park's few short loop trails, this gentle hike takes you past Mammoth Hot Springs and through fields of grass, sage, dandelions with Douglas fir and aspen all around. Because of its lower elevation it's a particularly good hike during the early fall when it attracts larger animals; at this time you can spot elk and black bear while basking in the golden yellow glow of the turning aspen. The best time for spotting the trail's namesake is early morning or late evening. Along the way the scenery offers up spectacular views of the Gardner River valley, the Absarokas and Mt. Everts.

GORP Trail Finder: Beaver Ponds

Trout Lake
Lamar area, 1 mile round-trip
For the fishing family this is a can't-miss hike, but it is a pleasant hike for non-anglers, as well. About a mile and half west of the Pebble Creek Campground you will find the trailhead. From here, the trail ascends a pretty arduous 150 feet through stands of Douglas fir to the lake. Resting in a meadow filled with wildflowers, the lake boasts large rainbow, cutthroat and rainbow-cutthroat hybrid trout that by all accounts are not an easy catch. There is also a lovely trail around the 12-acre lake that provides an add-on option if you've forgotten to pick up the park fishing permit beforehand.

GORP Trail Finder: Trout Lake

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