Bunsen Peak
Bunsen Peak
4.6
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.6
42 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
15
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0
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TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,573 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
I climbed the Bunsen Peak Trail on a fall day. The round trip is only about 4.5 miles, but most of that distance is slopes and switchbacks totally 1300 feet of elevation gain. This was the largest elevation gain of any trail I’ve attempted thus far. I had little trouble as I took my time and stopped when I needed a breather. The views grow more stunning as you climb. I got a bird’s eye view of Mammoth Hot Springs a few miles away. From the summit, I was able to see for miles in all directions across the vastness of Yellowstone. The prominence of the peak is illustrated by the radio tower that’s been placed there to maintain communications in the park. This is an excellent hike which I would consider moderately strenuous due to the short length. Don’t forget the bear spray as this is grizzly country!
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stan764
Tampa, FL108 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Trailhead a couple miles south of Mammoth. Limited parking. Trail itself, only 2.1 miles, was fairly steep and rocky in places. Suggest good hiking shoes/boots, water, trekking poles, and bear spray! Yep, I’ve hiked all over world and bear spray a first. This time not needed but use by others of music, bells, etc. helped. Upshot-no bear! But great time nonetheless!
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris B
Huntersville, NC8 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Favorite hike of our long trip. It was no joke and the last part had a rock field. The views along the way are incredible; and we had mot of the trail to ourselves. Glad we had poles to hike up and down.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca S
Boston, MA68 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We loved hiking Bunsen Peak. There are three great viewing areas on top. Hike was moderately strenuous for middle age mom, mild to moderate for teenage boys and husband, but beautiful for all. A real highlight of Yellowstone!
Written September 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob R
South Lake Tahoe, CA75 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I took a couple hours to scale it after work one evening, I wouldn't recommend doing the first part while it is pouring rain like I did, but I had a trail to myself which can sometimes be good in Yellowstone. A great elevation hike for guests that want to scale a peak, not that difficult. The trail is pretty gradual and takes you through a couple different features, I especially enjoyed the meadows with a flowers everywhere. You get good views throughout the hike and you are on a nice, well kept trail.
Written July 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth B
11 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Hello fellow hikers and stewards of the earth.
The ranger at the west entrance recommended this hike as the best views in Yellowstone. Agree.
Went on this hike with my son, Maxwell, in early August 2016.
This is a wonderful, somewhat short, somewhat steep, grand trail. If you're able, you won't be disappointed. Takes about 1.5 hours one-way. Climb is about 2000 ft. 360 degree views of the North Park.
The hike starts easy then increases to moderate. Switch backs increase in number as you approach the peak (8600 ft). There's a cabin on the top.
You will see plenty of lush grass and frern, pine trees, flowers, grand views of meadows, other peaks, and geysers along the way.
The trail was in excellent condition. The are a few rocks fields, however, easy to cross. Water, hiking boots and trekking poles recommended. The trail is safe for beginners. Plenty of resting areas. The weather was perfect - 70f, a few huge puffy clouds, big blue sky.
Recommendation: If you can, wait until the return trip, down, to take pictures; Take plenty of breathers to make the trip most pleasant; stay on the well marked trail - short cuts on the return down can be very dangerous (and certainly bad for the trail)
After you do this hike, please let us know what you think.
Have Fun!
Kenny Beal
The ranger at the west entrance recommended this hike as the best views in Yellowstone. Agree.
Went on this hike with my son, Maxwell, in early August 2016.
This is a wonderful, somewhat short, somewhat steep, grand trail. If you're able, you won't be disappointed. Takes about 1.5 hours one-way. Climb is about 2000 ft. 360 degree views of the North Park.
The hike starts easy then increases to moderate. Switch backs increase in number as you approach the peak (8600 ft). There's a cabin on the top.
You will see plenty of lush grass and frern, pine trees, flowers, grand views of meadows, other peaks, and geysers along the way.
The trail was in excellent condition. The are a few rocks fields, however, easy to cross. Water, hiking boots and trekking poles recommended. The trail is safe for beginners. Plenty of resting areas. The weather was perfect - 70f, a few huge puffy clouds, big blue sky.
Recommendation: If you can, wait until the return trip, down, to take pictures; Take plenty of breathers to make the trip most pleasant; stay on the well marked trail - short cuts on the return down can be very dangerous (and certainly bad for the trail)
After you do this hike, please let us know what you think.
Have Fun!
Kenny Beal
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
505badgolfer
Albuquerque, NM374 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Lonely Planet's "Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, third edition" says this is one of the 5 best day hikes in the park. I liked it but would describe the hike as good but not great. I only did Bunsen Peak, without any add on for Osprey Falls. 2.1 miles to the top. The sign at the top says elevation is about 8700'. Flatlanders may do some huffing and puffing. Views from the top make the hike worth it. Small parking lot fills up quickly, so try to get an early start. Also, be sure to bring along a windbreaker as the summit can be cold and blustery. As I was descending, I passed many hikers ascending who were in shorts, sneakers and without windbreakers. I'd recommend sturdier clothing and footwear.
Written June 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keeley Y
Corona, CA522 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Bunsen is a lesser known and off the beaten path attraction due to the hot springs, but it is one stop you should visit if you like hiking. Went with my brother, we are in our 20s/30s. 4.4 miles roundtrip, took us 2 1/2 hours, 1400ft elevation gain. Ridge hike almost all the way up, first we WMT thru forest, then meadow, then ridge, then rocky switchbacks. See pictures. At the top was 360 view of mountains, local lakes, hot springs/town. There was a shack with radio towers at the top. While route is scenic and much is along the ridge. On our way down we crossed paths with a mountain goat, a big buck with big circular horns (picture). We went around him and went down the side of the mountain through trees and rocks/shrubs to the next switchback. He was hangout in the middle of the trail so my brother and I went around him.
Overall nice hike, don't miss it!
Overall nice hike, don't miss it!
Written June 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie F
Chapel Hill, NC95 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
If you want to climb a mountain and get some nice 360 degree views but you don't want to climb all day, this is a nice hike for you and it is good for the kids too. You walk through many different environments seeing various wildlife, but only if you are a morning hiker. The climb is not to strenuous and stopping to enjoy the views of Swan Lake, or the Hoodoos is an additional bonus.
As you approach the top, you should be careful of your footing as there are some areas of screes which overrun some of the switchbacks. Once at the top, have lunch and enjoy the views. There is not much in the way of shade so wear a hat. Round trip about 4.2 miles and our 8 & 10 yr old had no problem with this hike.
As you approach the top, you should be careful of your footing as there are some areas of screes which overrun some of the switchbacks. Once at the top, have lunch and enjoy the views. There is not much in the way of shade so wear a hat. Round trip about 4.2 miles and our 8 & 10 yr old had no problem with this hike.
Written August 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jesse o
Jackson, WY6,484 contributions
May 2018 • Business
It’s up ahead off in the distance yet towering over the road as you travel south from Mammoth. What is that mountain and how did it get such a vaguely familiar name?
It turns out Dr. Robert Bunsen of chemistry labs Bunsen burner fame has a connection to the local geology. In 1846, Bunsen was part of an expedition to study the volcanoes of Iceland. Besides volcanoes, Iceland has geysers. He observed and theorized and tested his hypotheses to be the first to describe accurately what makes geyser activity possible. You might well imagine, right here in Yellowstone, the geyser capital of the world (though not around Mammoth, the rocks are too soft here to hold that much pressure) that his breakthrough unlocked the beginning of modern understanding of one of the rarest, most mysterious yet powerful features on earth.
I am grateful the early park fathers and mothers honored him here.
There is a delightful trail to the top which you can make a full day hike out of if you descend the back or eastern side and go down further to see Osprey Falls, a truly hidden and relatively unknown local feature that we found utterly captivating.
It turns out Dr. Robert Bunsen of chemistry labs Bunsen burner fame has a connection to the local geology. In 1846, Bunsen was part of an expedition to study the volcanoes of Iceland. Besides volcanoes, Iceland has geysers. He observed and theorized and tested his hypotheses to be the first to describe accurately what makes geyser activity possible. You might well imagine, right here in Yellowstone, the geyser capital of the world (though not around Mammoth, the rocks are too soft here to hold that much pressure) that his breakthrough unlocked the beginning of modern understanding of one of the rarest, most mysterious yet powerful features on earth.
I am grateful the early park fathers and mothers honored him here.
There is a delightful trail to the top which you can make a full day hike out of if you descend the back or eastern side and go down further to see Osprey Falls, a truly hidden and relatively unknown local feature that we found utterly captivating.
Written May 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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