Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan
Guided Backpacking Trips
3 Days, 2 Nights 23MI / 37KM
Trip Highlights
Explore one of Yellowstone National Park‘s biggest backcountry lakes, its wildlife, its thermal features, and its mountains on this fantastic 3-day hiking adventure! Starting at Heart Lake Trailhead we’ll hike past hot springs and along a creek whose water measures in at over 200 degrees Fahrenheit! The shores of Heart Lake, which boasts the largest trout ever caught in Yellowstone, have some of the best views in the Park and will become our home for two days. Heart Lake even has its own geyser – Rustic Geyser! Day two is a 7-mile roundtrip hike up Mount Sheridan, the tallest mountain in the Red Mountain Range at 10,308 feet. From its shoulders you’ll be treated to incredible views of the Tetons, Lewis Lake, the Absaroka mountain range, and even Yellowstone Lake!
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Pristine Mountain Lake
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Lakeshore Camping
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Summit Mount Sheridan
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Breathtaking Yellowstone Views
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Thermal, Steaming Stream
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Wildlife Habitat
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Dramatic Night Skies
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
7-8 mi -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
The trails on this trip are well maintained, with no significant water crossings. When approaching the final ridge to the summit of Mt. Sheridan, there are very steep hillsides and edges next to large drop-offs close to the trail that can’t be avoided. This exposed section is only about a quarter mile in length.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 2-hour drive
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Elevation Loss: 600 feet
We begin this Yellowstone backpacking adventure from the Heart Lake Trailhead in south central Yellowstone, where we’ll enter a burn area from the famous 1988 Yellowstone fires. Now over a quarter century old, the cleansing, regenerative effects of the fire are clearly evident. Factory Hill (9,607’) dominates the southern view as we ascend a gentle plateau overlooking Witch Creek and Heart Lake, two classic backcountry Yellowstone features. A number of hot springs pour into Witch Creek, raising its temperature to nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit! We hike along Witch Creek through another burn area and then enter a meadow before joining Heart Lake. The largest trout ever caught in Yellowstone (a 43-lb. lake trout) was caught here.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 7.0 miles (optional day hike)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,800 feet each way
We’ll spend day 2 hiking to the summit of Mount Sheridan. Mount Sheridan was named in 1871 by Captain Barlow after General Philip H. Sheridan, a distinguished soldier who often visited the park and worked for its interest. At 10,308 feet the peak lies a whopping 2,858 feet above Heart Lake. Our hike winds its way through meadows and forests up the northwestern shoulder of the mountain. Once atop the peak there are spectacular 360º views of the Grand Teton, Lewis Lake, the Absaroka Mountains and Yellowstone Lake. Also atop the summit is a fire-lookout – hard to believe living up here through the summer thunderstorms!
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Elevation Loss: 300 feet
Shuttle: 2-hour drive
The final day we’ll hike back out along the Heart Lake Trail – the same trail we used coming in the first day – and say goodbye to this truly enchanting part of Yellowstone National Park.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel Details
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.
You can fly into:
- Jackson Hole – some hotels and several transportation companies provide airport shuttles.
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Eric S
2 years agoWonderful Job
Mick K. did a wonderful job. He took 4 newbies out into the area and returned all 4 of us safe and with big smiles on our faces. He was very adamant about safety and having fun. Terrible jokes aside, I would highly recommend Mick.
Mitch W
2 years agoHike was a high point as part of a larger vacation
These guys know what they are doing! Great equipment, food, and experience provided for an unforgettable experience. Thanks!
Nicholas G.
8 years agoGreat job, Wildland!
I found Wildland by surfing on the internet and I am glad that I did . They made my trip to Yellowstone more memorable than I could have ever dreamed . They are first class in my book and , I wouldn't have had half the experience out there without them and their experience . Great job, Wildland
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