Backpack into Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness
Feel the stress of everyday life melt away as you hike through the peaceful mountains with us.
Rendezvous Backcountry Tours offers wilderness backpacking tours to suit all abilities and interests. Join one of our tours listed below or request a custom tour to suit your schedule. We schedule our hiking tours after the winter snows have melted to enjoy the wildflower displays in July and August, or in the early fall to enjoy the autumn colors.
We take care of all of the details so that you can enjoy your experience in the mountains. We provide all of the meals and the necessary equipment for you to enjoy a vacation in the mountains. You simply need to provide your personal clothing items and we take care of the rest. We will keep your backpack as light as possible by carrying the group gear and food so that you can have more energy to enjoy the hiking and scenery. We prepare all the meals and tend to camp logistics so you can relax and take in all of the great scenery.
With over 20 years of mountain experience, your guides Jeff and Diane know how to make you feel comfortable and relaxed in the mountains. We are professional mountain guides who focus on your safety and education. Each day you'll learn new things about the ecosystem that you are exploring, enhancing your experience and understanding of the natural history of the Tetons. You'll learn about Leave No Trace backpacking and how to camp safely in bear country. We pride ourselves on providing quality, tasty, nutritious meals and top-notch equipment. Visit the Meet Us page to view our credentials and hear what others have said about our tours.
New this season - a trip of a lifetime!
Yellowstone National Park
Hiking Bechler to Old Faithful
September 12-16, 2010
Hike through the beauty of the southwestern Bechler region of Yellowstone National Park with its hot springs, geysers and wildlife. We'll travel 33 miles over four days through some of the most remote wilderness in the nation. We'll explore various ecosystems including pine forests, remnants of the mammoth 1988 fires, marshes and geothermal areas. We'll ford streams on foot, pick berries, watch the eruption of Lone Star Geyser, and soak in natural hot springs along the way.
With the support of Kevin and Deb Little of Dry Ridge Outfitters, you will be able to hike with just a light day pack while horses carry our gear. Hiking averages 8-9 miles per day, mostly on flat ground with a few big hills. While you hike and learn about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Kevin and Deb will be setting up camp and cooking true western-style meals in Dutch ovens around the campfire. Our trek finishes at Old Faithful, where we'll see the famous geyser erupt and admire the historic Old Faithful Inn before our return to Teton Valley, Idaho.
Day 1: Depart Driggs, Idaho for Yellowstone. After a scenic 1.5 hour drive, to the Bechler ranger station, we will begin our 6.5 mile hike through Bechler Meadows. Our first night's camp is near Boundary Creek, where a short hike leads to the 150-ft Dunanda Falls. The waterfall is spectacular, but what makes it even more special are the hot spring pools located in the river just below the falls. The experience of soaking in these hot springs near the thundering falls is like no other.
Day 2: Leave the meadows and hike 10 miles up canyon along the Bechler River. Elevation gain is moderate as you enjoy the beautiful fall foliage colors and several river crossings. That afternoon, soak in the "Mr. Bubbles" hot spring, a very large hot pool famous for its small geyser that erupts from the middle of the pool.
Day 3: This will be the most challenging day with 11 miles of hiking. We slowly gain altitude before crossing the Continental Divide. We'll hike through a geothermal area of hot pots, bubbly streams and colorful cauldrons to our camp near the Lone Star Geyser. You'll have a chance to see a backcountry geyser erupt - a sight few who visit Yellowstone ever see since most view only those along the roadways.
Day 4: A four mile hike will lead us through areas burned in the 1988 fires to Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. We'll have time to see the renowned geyser erupt , view the Grand Prismatic Spring, and tour the historic Inn before we make the scenic three-hour drive back to Teton Valley, Idaho.
Cost: $1050/person plus tax
Includes sure-footed horses carrying all of your gear to/from camp each day, four days guided hiking, three nights tent camping, all camping equipment including sleeping bag and pad, all meals starting with lunch day one through lunch day four, and transportation to/from Yellowstone
Two Day Wilderness Loop near Jackson Hole
(Rated Moderate)
One of our most popular trips! Perfect for those new to the sport or short on time. This two day, one night backpack loop hike is catered to your activity level and perfect for a private getaway in the mountains. With close proximity to Jackson Hole, this trip is an easy addition to any week-long vacation to the Teton-Yellowstone area.
On Day 1: With the gear already pre-organized, you simply need to move your personal clothing into the backpack we provide. We'll hike 3 miles with 1,800 feet of elevation gain to our base camp in a subalpine meadow. Time and weather permitting, we hike to the summit of a 10,000 foot peak where we'll find amazing views of the surrounding mountains. After a hearty dinner, we'll enjoy the campfire and fall sleep in our tents to the sounds of a nearby babbling brook.
On Day 2: After breakfast, we hike less than 1/2 a mile to a 9,100 foot pass with great photo opportunities. We'll then descend two miles into scenic Moose Creek where we hike five miles to a different trailhead. We provide a return shuttle back to the original trailhead, arriving approximately between 3-4 pm.
Cost: $395 per person. Family rate: $1,200 for a group of 4 persons. Includes two days guided backpacking, all backpacking equipment, all meals and return shuttle back to trailhead.
Overnight Backpack and Yurt Experience
(Rated Easy)
Perfect for families and those new to the sport! Our backpacking portion will be a casual hike up Badger Creek, close enough to get a feel for the sport without hiking too long with backpacks on. With close proximity to Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks, this trip is an easy addition to your vacation to the area. Tours are scheduled to accommodate your itinerary and are a private experience for your family or friends.
On day 1: We meet in Driggs, Idaho and caravan to our Rammell Mountain Yurt. With the gear already pre-organized and pre-packed, you simply need to move your personal clothing into your backpack. From the yurt, we drive through the quiet side of Idaho and the National Forest to a Wilderness trailhead. After a gentle hike, we will set up camp and explore the wildflowers and scenery. Large granite boulders are nature's playground here and kids of all ages can learn the basics of rock climbing with us as we have fun scrambling on the rocks. For non-climbers, Badger Creek offers opportunities to splash, skip stones and get in touch with nature. We'll enjoy dinner and a campfire in the wilderness, where everyone can roast marshmallows and make S'mores! Then off to sleep in our tents.
On Day 2: After breakfast, we'll hike back to the trailhead. En route, we'll have lunch and take in the beautiful scenery. We will transport you back to the yurt, where a hot shower, glass of wine and gourmet dinner await you. You can dine outside at the picnic table or inside by the fire. Kids love the yurt with board games, ample space to run and play and the chance to explore nature. Another night of roasting marshmallows around the campfire will ensure the kids have a great outdoor experience.
On Day 3: We provide a continental breakfast and check out time is 11 am.
Cost: $1595 for a family of four. Includes two nights lodging (one at the yurt, one in the backcountry), all meals starting with lunch on day one through breakfast on day three (two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners complete with appetizers, wine and home-made dessert) all backpacking equipment and transport to/from the Rammell Yurt to the trailhead.
Three Day Wilderness Adventure
July 13-15
Spend 3 days covering the spectacular backcountry terrain of the northern Tetons on this fantastic loop hike.
(Rated Moderate)
On Day 1: We hike 6 miles gaining 2,000 feet of elevation as we hike up and over a broad ridge with great views of the surrounding peaks. We'll camp on our first night near a clear mountain stream, where you can fall asleep to the sounds of a babbling brook.
On Day 2: We gain 1,600 feet of elevation over six miles as we hike onto the Teton Crest Trail. You'll hike over snow, rock and through meadows of wildflowers with great views of the Grand Teton. We camp that night by an alpine lake. Ample time is allowed for swimming, relaxing next to the cascading waterfall and exploring the alpine environs.
On Day 3: After breakfast and watching the sunrise over the lake, we'll descend five miles back to the trailhead through meadows of wildflowers with fantastic views of Idaho, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park.
Cost: $585 per person. Includes all equipment, all meals, guides/porters and transport to/from Driggs, Idaho.
Three Day Grand Teton National Park: The Alpine Wildflower Circuit
July 27-29
August 11-13
(Rated moderately strenuous/challenging)
Join us for this three day loop hike in the southern Tetons during the peak alpine wildflower displays.
On Day 1: We hike 8 miles into the wilderness. Our initial climb is 2,000 feet over three miles to Mesquite Divide (9,132') with great views of the Grand Tetons. From there, we continue hiking on the scenic Teton Crest Trail at elevations around 9,000 feet to our camp near a babbling brook at 8,500 feet.
On Day 2: We ascend into Grand Teton National Park, where we will hike 7 miles to our camp at the base of Fossil Peak. We hike on the Teton Crest Trail. En route, we will pass Marion Lake, with options to swim, photograph or lounge in the sun by the lake shore. That evening will be spent sleeping at 9,000 feet at the headwaters of Fox Creek in the wilderness.
On Day 3: We spend a full day hiking as we descend 9 miles into the remote and rugged Fox Creek drainage. We provide a shuttle back to the original trailhead, arriving approximately between 3-4 pm.
Cost: $585 per person. Includes all equipment, all meals, guides/porters and return shuttle.
We Provide
-
- Sleeping bag, backpack, ground pad & tent
- 3 hearty and healthy meals a day plus snacks
- Certified guides equipped with mapping skills, first-aid certification, and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the area. Guides will also provide instruction on how to have a safe and enjoyable adventure in the mountains.
- "Leave No Trace" low-impact camping
- A detailed clothing & equipment list
Yurt Rental Only
You can rent the yurt for your family or friends and supply your own meals. Yurt rental rates are $95/night for one to two people, $120/night for three to four people, and $150/night for five to six people, plus tax. Includes exclusive use of the yurt. Please inquire.
All trips are subject to a 3% Forest Service user fee.