On the Trail




Day One, Sunday:

Host & hostess, Stan & Suzie Hoggatt, will meet guests for a get-acquainted breakfast at 6:45 am at the historic Irma Hotel which was built by Bill Cody and named after his daughter Irma. Stan and Suzie will meet guests in the foyer outside of the bar by the east entrance. You'll want to have your luggage available and with you as it will be loaded in the van before going to the restaurant.

Weldell Fenton Leading Pack Train Pelican Valley

After breakfast, we will depart for the Pelican Divide Trailhead near Indian Pond. There, we will meet Spencer & Allison Dominick, your co-host and hostess. Together, they will provide us with some of the most delectable meals imaginable. When not busy cooking, they'll be helping with other activities including wrangling horses. It is anticipated that we will be on the trail by 11 am. As we depart for the Backcountry, Suzie will leave for Cody to return the van, and she will re-join us at the 7 D Ranch at the end of the week for the "Celebration Cookout."

Alex Cross '98 Nez Perce Scholarship Recipient Main Nez Perce Campsite at Raven Creek (Valley behind Horse)

Our trail ride will then begin as we depart for the end-of-day destination at Mist Creek Meadows. The ride up the Pelican Valley is particularly serene and beautiful. Elk and other wildlife frequent the area, so you should have some great photo-taking opportunities. We'll stop for a late lunch around 2:00. After lunch Stan will provide an interpretive presentation of Captain Fisher's activities, head scout for General Howard, the main Nez Perce Campsite location, and the separation of Chief Looking Glass from the main body of Nez Perce. Then, we will ride by the Pelican Valley Patrol Cabin used by Park Rangers when monitoring Backcountry activities. From there, we will begin the ascent over the Mist Creek Divide. Close to the top of the divide you will be able to stop and view Yellowstone Lake behind you and the Grand Tetons off in the horizon to the south. We will continue over the divide to our first campsite--Mist Creek Meadows. This is an especially beautiful campsite. Mist Creek Meadows lies near the towering snow capped peaks of Cathedral Mountain and alongside the Divide of Cold Creek. As you look down Mist Creek Meadows for several miles, you'll see lush and tall grass surrounded by beautiful mountain wildflowers of every color and description. Spending the night at this campsite and listening to Stan's campfire stories will be a special treat for you, since it was here that Chief Joseph and the main body of Nez Perce people camped after leaving the Pelican Valley.

Day Two, Monday:

Allison Dominick Leading Pack Trip from Mist Creek Meadows Campsite

We will have breakfast, pack and prepare to leave the beautiful Mist Creek Campsite. Once, when we were leaving this campsite, Spencer Dominick looked back at the camp area and saw a grizzly bear lying down in the grass. The group watched the grizzly from a safe distance for 15 minutes or so before moving on.

Lower Mist Creek Meadows where Chief Joseph & Chief Lean Elk Camped with Nez Perce People (Saddle Mountain off in Distance)

As you begin the ride down Mist Creek Meadows, you will see Saddle Mountain and Little Saddle Mountain about 16 miles off in the distance. You'll soon be able to witness the intensity of the Mist Creek Fire, which occurred during the Yellowstone fires of 1988. The Yellowstone fires covered nearly eighty percent of the Park; and at one time, there were as many as 100 separate fires raging throughout Yellowstone and the adjoining ecosystems. The ride to our final destination, which will be the Cold Creek Campsite, is about 12 miles and is especially enjoyable.

As you leave the Mist Creek Drainage, you'll see it flow into the Upper Lamar area. The Upper Lamar drainage is made up of a number of streams flowing into the Upper Lamar from the head walls of several glaciated valleys throughout the area. The ruggedness and towering beauty of the Absarokas in this area must be seen to be fully appreciated.


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