Gardiner to the Beartooths Geology Field Trip

$200

Dates:
July 14

Location:
Gardiner, Montana

Meals Included?:
No

Instructors:
John Gillespie

Audience Type:
Adult

Program Type:
Field Seminars

Program Subject:
Day Trip, Geology, Natural History

This ambitious field trip from Gardiner, Montana, to the 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass will take you on a journey through time and space to piece together the vast and complex geologic history of Yellowstone Country and its diverse ecosystems.

During a busy day of roadside stops and very short hikes, you’ll visit outcrops, roadcuts and landforms that illustrate some of the big stories that shaped the landscape you see to-day. Waterfalls, mountain lakes, lava flows, cataclysmic volcanic super eruptions, glacial ice dams, petrified forests, the largest terrestrial landslide on the planet, and some of the oldest rocks in the world: this exceptionally gorgeous route tells a big chapter of the epic geologic story of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as written in the rocks.

About the instructor

John Gillespie has been fascinated by the geology of Yellowstone since his first visit in 1972. After completing studies at the University of Delaware, John worked as a field geologist, eventually founding and running two geologic consulting firms. He now applies his 40-year career in natural resources to Yellowstone. He is a certified interpretive guide, believes in life-long learning and regularly explores Yellowstone Country geology from his home just north of the park in Paradise Valley.

Download Program Information:

Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Audience Descriptions

We are continually updating and refining our COVID-19 mitigation measures to ensure the health and safety our guests, staff and volunteers. Read our COVID-19 guidelines for program participants.

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.
Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.
Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.