Bunsen Peak
Wyoming · United States
The hike up Bunsen Peak is an unforgettable one! From the open flats of the trailhead, we will start up through intermittent forest and meadow, with excellent opportunity to view wildlife, birds, and seasonal wildflowers. As we continue to grind uphill, the views of the Gallatin Range and the surrounding valleys grow more and more spectacular. The final section of the 1,300ft vertical gain brings us through scree and talus slopes, reminding us of Bunsen's origin as a volcanic remnant. As we reach the summit, we will come upon an old fire lookout, which provides an excellent porch for lunch. After taking in the panoramic views and re-energizing, we have the option of coming back down the same trail we came up, making for a 4 mile day, or adding another 3 miles by going down the backside of the mountain. The longer option is much less trafficked and switchbacks down the east side, around the foothills of the peak, and back to the trailhead.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Bunsen Peak
Welcome to the Bunsen Peak trailhead, situated about five miles south of the Mammoth community along the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. As we stand here at the base, gazing up at the prominent, dome shaped mountain…
Listen in the app2The First Switchbacks and Valley Views
We have now entered the first set of switchbacks, and you can already feel your heart rate increasing as the trail pitches upward. Pause for a moment in the sparse shade of these resilient conifers and look back the way we came. …
Listen in the app3The Hayden Survey and Observation Mountain
We are now navigating a particularly rugged stretch of the trail, surrounded by scattered boulders and increasing elevation. As we pause to take in the ever expanding horizon, it is the perfect moment to delve into the historical…
Listen in the app4The Talus Slopes and the High Alpine Environment
We have now reached a section of the trail characterized by steep talus slopes. Look around at the jumble of loose, fragmented rock cascading down the mountainside. …
Listen in the app5The Ghost Forest and Signs of Fire
As we near the upper reaches of the mountain, the landscape undergoes another dramatic transformation. Look at the stark, haunting beauty of the trees around us. …
Listen in the app6The Summit and the Communication Towers
Congratulations, you have conquered the relentless uphill grind and arrived at the summit of Bunsen Peak. We are now standing at an impressive elevation of eight thousand, five hundred and sixty four feet above sea level. …
Listen in the app7The Westward View and The Trapper's Legacy
Moving toward the western edge of the summit, we are treated to a completely different, yet equally mesmerizing, geographic perspective. Look straight down. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As our time at the summit of Bunsen Peak draws to a close, we must prepare for the descent. Looking down the eastern flank of the mountain, you might spot a dirt road cutting across the landscape and disappearing into a steep,…
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What is Bunsen Peak?
Bunsen Peak is a place in Wyoming · United States with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Wyoming · United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 44.9325, -110.7266 |
| Last updated |