Cliff Creek Falls
Jackson, WY
5.0 (5 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Stunning Wyoming Mountains
- A Waterfall over 200 Feet High
- Pristine Wilderness
- Mountain Solitude
- Views of the Wind River Mountains
- Fantastic Wildlife Habitat
Description
This Jackson Hole Area trek is a relatively quick 3-day adventure into the Wyoming Range, one of the least traveled and most beautiful mountain ranges in Wyoming. Providing the ability to see more animals than people, our Cliff Creek Falls backpacking trip truly offers an opportunity to step back into the Wild West. We’ll venture into a wonderland of waterfalls, meadows, rivers, forests and wildlife, with a wonderful campsite and fantastic backcountry cuisine!
Highlights of this trip include amazing waterfalls including Cliff Creek Falls which in total is over 200 feet high; secluded and scenic campsites; vast wildflower-filled meadows; and last but not least fantastic views of the surrounding mountain ranges including the Wind River Range. As you hike through the high mountain meadows, looking far down on the valleys below, gazing up at Hoback Peak and its perennial snow fields, standing mesmerized by pristine waterfalls, and staring in awe at the distant mountains, it may very well occur to you that you’re one of the luckiest people alive.
$1070 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip’s difficulties come from rugged trails that aren’t consistently maintained. The layover day has about 1200ft of gain over less than two miles, which is moderately strenuous, but it is with light daypacks.
Hiking Distances:
6 mi
Backpack Weight:
25-35 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1200 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 5
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Jackson Hole backpacking trip a solitude 5. You can expect to see very few other people, if any.
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson has an airport served by United, Delta, and American Airlines. A Black Car Service (307-413-2572) provides private airport shuttles (advance reservations are recommended.)
You can also fly into:
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; can meet your guide in Driggs, ID instead of Jackson; requires a car rental
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (800-356-9796 or 208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: appx 6 miles
This Jackson Hole backpacking trip begins as we hike up beautiful Cliff Creek. Our hike is consumed by views of the creek as it twists down a valley laden with pristine forests and wildflowers. We will hike past towering cliffs (the namesakes of Cliff Creek), whose rock ranges from bright reds to tan, and we may see the occasional snow patch still clinging to the hillsides. We’ll eventually reach a point where three different waterfalls can be seen from one spot, including Cliff Creek Falls, a stunning double waterfall that totals over 200 feet in height. Tonight’s camp is just up the hill from this impressive sight beside an expansive, majestic mountain meadow.
After getting camp set up, you’ll have time to relax, explore the flora and fauna around camp, or partake in some appetizers as the guide(s) prepare dinner. After dinner we’ll enjoy a campfire before settling in for a deserved night of rest under one of the most magnificent night skies you’ve ever seen.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: appx 6 miles
Today we will not move camp, so after eating breakfast we get to leave everything set up and start hiking. We start by immediately hiking up several hundred vertical feet over 2 miles. Throughout this we get peek-a-boo views of the towering Cliff Creek Falls. Upon reaching our high point we get incredible views from the top of the waterfall to the valley floor below. After leaving the falls behind we will hike beside Cliff Creek up a winding trail through gorgeous meadows and woods. Cliff Creek is made of a multitude of smaller streams ranging from crystal clear to white from the silt of year round snow packs. Moose and other animals love these meadows, and we have a good chance of seeing wildlife during this stretch. Upon reaching the top of Cliff Creek Pass we will be amazed by more breathtaking views. From the glacier covered Wind River Mountains, to the towering Tetons, we will get views of no less than 5 mountain ranges. Closer to us is the large Horse Heaven Meadows, red Cliffs, and more winding streams and valleys. After soaking up the views, we will begin our decent back to camp. Upon reaching camp, the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing, soaking feet in the creek, or exploring on your own while the guide prepares dinner.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: appx 6 miles
- Shuttle to Jackson: 1.5 hours
Today we will hike back to the trailhead. Despite hiking the same trail we came up on, you will be surprised at how much the view changes on the way back. From seeing the valley from a different angle, to one last chance at some more wildlife, you will enjoy this hike as much as the hike in. Upon reaching the trailhead, you can have one last chance to enjoy the stream and the beautiful valleys while the guide packs up. You will then shuttle back to Jackson and drop you off at your hotel.
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Jackson Hole hiking guide
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson, Wyoming to the trailhead and back
- Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear To Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins 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.
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 Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry an emergency communication device. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on backpacking trips is 6 guests, with a maximum of 12 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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
Weather Around Yellowstone
Being a Northern mountain environment, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Wyoming’s mountains. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures around Yellowstone:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 70° | 42° |
| July | 80° | 47° |
| August | 78° | 45° |
| September | 68° | 37° |
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
Of course campsites vary tremendously 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 backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Adam A
Great trip and even better guide
I was part of a group trip where practically every member of the group had little to no experience in hiking. Rosey was our guide and was very knowledgeable regarding the area and was very understanding with the physical limitations that some of our group had regarding hiking. The meals prepared for the group were great as well. Overall, we had a great time and a lot of that had to do with our guide who I would strongly recommend.
Chris L
Fourth Trip with WT
My son and I have backpacked with Wildland Trekking four times. I initially chose WT for the safety and peace of mind taking my then 12-year old son down to the floor of the Grand Canyon. What has kept us coming back is the overall experience - the safety; the incredible (and clean) gear; and although we certainly don't expect concierge treatment on a backpacking trip, that is the experience each WT guide has given us. I am writing this as we fly home, and my son and I are already planning our next trek with WT.
Brian M
Fantastic Guide, Great Company
Beau our guide was fantastic. he was very knowledgeable and patient with all participants. Highly recommend this company to everyone.
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