Avalanche Peak Trail
Avalanche Peak Trail
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Contribute
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.
4.5
15 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
DQShaw
York, ME1,318 contributions
Aug 2020
Great hike with amazing views. It is moderate to strenuous and you need to be prepared with the right hiking boots. Bring water, food, give yourself enough time to enjoy the hike and bring bear bells. We didn't see any bears this time but just down the road closer to the East Entrance we saw three grizzly bears.
Written August 25, 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.
tvonruex
Naples, FL375 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
A hidden gem, voted #1 in the Yellowstone National Park (located near Lake Eleanor at the East entrance of the park), it gains 1,200 feet in about 2 miles through fir and an area of dead forest (beautiful) and then opens to amazing views of the complete Yellowstone Lake. We did many, many hikes in Yellowstone, but Avalanche Peak sticks out with the best views and was very enjoyable (less people, less know, best views). It may be closed till early July. We strongly recommend you try it!
Written August 2, 2015
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.
KLK0829
Hanover, PA47 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
My husband, dad and I did this trail because a ranger recommended it. It did not disappoint. My husband and I are not hikers at all and it took the 3 of us 2 1/2 hours to get to the top. The trail changes from woods to small field like, open areas, to very rocky and what I've been told are called shingles. Sadly it was hazy due to fires in Montana so the view wasn't what it could have been. If you are a hiker, you will like this trail and the reward at the top. Since we are not hikers and were not prepared, coming down was a real challenge. We only had on cross trainers and no walking sticks. We slid a lot, so if you do choose to do this trail make sure you are fully prepared.
Written August 7, 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.
SB1123
Virginia162 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Note: This review is written from the point of view of a fit person (and his fit wife) who does a lot of walking and cycling at home, but not much serious hiking.
We were very disappointed by this hike, which gets such strong reviews here and elsewhere. It is extremely steep and doesn't offer any reward for the effort until after you're halfway up. It's all in the woods with no views until you get above the tree line. We were exhausted and tired of the mosquitoes when we got to the tree line, and we looked up and saw that it just got more difficult if we continued. We turned around without having gotten anything other than a really strenuous workout (which is nice, but...).
If you want a highly rewarding and fairly challenging mountain hike in Yellowstone, we recommend Bunsen Peak up near Mammoth. The views are great starting pretty early in the hike and keep getting better the higher you go.
We were very disappointed by this hike, which gets such strong reviews here and elsewhere. It is extremely steep and doesn't offer any reward for the effort until after you're halfway up. It's all in the woods with no views until you get above the tree line. We were exhausted and tired of the mosquitoes when we got to the tree line, and we looked up and saw that it just got more difficult if we continued. We turned around without having gotten anything other than a really strenuous workout (which is nice, but...).
If you want a highly rewarding and fairly challenging mountain hike in Yellowstone, we recommend Bunsen Peak up near Mammoth. The views are great starting pretty early in the hike and keep getting better the higher you go.
Written August 4, 2024
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.
Ken S
Langley City, Canada95 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We did this hike one afternoon in mid-July 2017. As noted it is quite steep and there are some challenging stretches of shingle near the top. It will take you about 2 hours to reach the top at a moderate pace or in a group.
The rewards for me were along the way. Waterfalls, water courses, changing examples of wildflowers and settings as we ascended. Interesting stands of trees, some dead others very much alive. About 3/4 of the way up, we saw a deer and fawn resting not ten feet from the trail. She let us pass but not without warily watching us. On the way down, they were grazing and when they sensed us, they silently sprang away.
The views at the top are expansive if that is what you enjoy. There is a small rock shelter on the ridge just below the peak.
We did not do Washburn. Speaking to several other people on the trail who did, this was unanimously the better of the two: not crowded, less trampled and more diverse.
360 degree panoramic views at the top, but my memories are all of the different views on the way up.
The rewards for me were along the way. Waterfalls, water courses, changing examples of wildflowers and settings as we ascended. Interesting stands of trees, some dead others very much alive. About 3/4 of the way up, we saw a deer and fawn resting not ten feet from the trail. She let us pass but not without warily watching us. On the way down, they were grazing and when they sensed us, they silently sprang away.
The views at the top are expansive if that is what you enjoy. There is a small rock shelter on the ridge just below the peak.
We did not do Washburn. Speaking to several other people on the trail who did, this was unanimously the better of the two: not crowded, less trampled and more diverse.
360 degree panoramic views at the top, but my memories are all of the different views on the way up.
Written July 29, 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.
Belle0303
Brooklyn, NY256 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
The hike up is quite intense but you pass through diverse and gorgeous terrain. It starts in the shade of the forest on a one track trail. You hike through different types of forest as you go higher, cross streams, walk through fields of wild flowers (at least in July), and closer to the top it opens up to a rocky climb to the peak.
360 degree views from the top.
Absolutely wonderful hike!
360 degree views from the top.
Absolutely wonderful hike!
Written July 27, 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.
rtlcpa
Louisiana35 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Get there early and take your time. Bring plenty of water and enjoy the snow at the top. We took two 12 year olds up the 2nd time we went. We are going back this year and they asked for that to be one of the repeat hikes. That should say it all! And, we always make really nice dinner reservations to reward ourselves for the effort. Its a win, win.
Written July 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.
RobAMartin
16 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Avalanche Peak. AJ and I ran to the Park late in the season to bag a peak before the season ended. Heavy with bear presence so I would recommend a gun and bear spray. We did the lollipop route instead of an up and down. Very Cold and windy summit so we didn't stay long just a cup or two of coffee behind a windbreak and then a leisurely descent. Maybe and hour and a half up and the same coming down.
Written June 20, 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.
bigtwoheartedriver
Mid-Michigan173 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
A tough hike that is fairly short (less than 5 miles). But, given the elevation gain (2300 feet I think), it is pretty much a straight uphill and then a straight downhill back to the parking lot. Very few flat stretches. Bring extra layers as the peak is VERY windy. Not too buggy. Hiking boots are recommended because of the downhills. Outstanding views from the summit. Still had some snow near the peak last week, but you don't need poles.
Written July 25, 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.
H1305
Amsterdam, The Netherlands33 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
From Lake Eleanor parking it is about a 2 hour walk to the top with stunning views over Lake Yellowstone and into the Wyoming mountains.
Written September 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.
I can handle the elevation gain, but I'm wondering, is there anything challenging or technical? Any narrow ledges or sharp cliff drop offs etc?
Written September 5, 2019
Ashton N
Kansas City, Kansas
I'm a capable and experienced hiker at lower altitudes, and am wondering if I can bring my 18 month old in a backpack carrier? Thoughts?
Written July 12, 2019
Ashton I wonder if you went there with your 18 month child? If yes would you like to share your experience with me?
Written February 22, 2020
Hola, we are gonna travel there on 5th of October, is this time good to walking around?, is it too cold or is it warm?
What time do you recommend us to start the walking and does it have any cost?
Written September 17, 2017
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing