The Incredible Wyoming Hiking Trail That Takes You Past Ancient Lava Flow
By Megan Shute|Published April 13, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From towering mountains and lush forests to unique geological features and even cascading waterfalls, Wyoming is home to countless jaw-dropping landscapes, and there is little we love more than lacing up our hiking boots and exploring the great outdoors. While all of Wyoming’s landscapes are truly phenomenal, this incredible hiking trail that leads past ancient lava flow to a wondrous waterfall currently tops our travel wish list. Adventure awaits.
Nestled within Yellowstone National Park, the Lava Creek Canyon Trail leads adventurers on a magnificent 4.2-mile journey through a landscape created millions of years ago from flowing lava.
This one-way, mostly downhill hike begins at the Lava Creek Picnic Area and meanders past Undine Falls, through Lava Creek Canyon, along the Gardner River, and ending on the Mammoth to North Entrance road, approximately half a mile from Mammoth Hot Springs. It’s best to shuttle this hike and arrange transportation at the end, though you can double the mileage if you’d prefer.
After less than a mile of hiking, you’ll come upon the splendid Undine Falls, a three-step waterfall that cascades nearly 60 feet down a sheer cliff face that once graced the cover of a National Geographic Magazine in 1977.
The area is full of basaltic and rhyolitic lava flows, and you’ll also discover plenty of unique geologic formations along the way, including Mount Everts, which is made up of distinctly layered sandstones and shales deposited when the area was covered by a shallow inland sea, nearly 70 to 140 million years ago.
But that’s not the only gem you’ll find along this hike: the trail makes a left turn at the 3.9-mile mark and crosses the Gardner River via a stunning — albeit potentially terrifying for anyone who is afraid of hikes — suspension bridge.
The sweeping, panoramic views witnessed from this trail are absolutely jaw-dropping, and wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful, so don’t forget your camera.
Due to its relatively low elevation, the Lava Creek Canyon Trail is one of the first in the park to become clear of snow and open for the season, and we can’t wait to lace up our hiking shoes and explore the great outdoors.
This heavenly hike begins at the Lava Creek Picnic Area within Yellowstone National Park. Have you tackled this one-of-a-kind trail yet? If so, share your experiences and opinions in the comments below. If not, what are you waiting for?
