Ribbon Lake Trail—From the Chittenden Bridge parking area follow the markers along the Wapiti Lake Trail until you come to a junction, at about 3 miles. Bear left (north) at the junction; Ribbon Lake is about ¾ of a mile farther. Connecting trails to Lilypad Lake, Clear Lake, and the South Rim Trail offer several possible variations to this trip.
As with the longer trails on the north side of the Canyon, the full length of all trails is not shown on the map, but all of the trips described below originate on the mapped area. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight hikes.
Wapiti Lake Trail—Park at Chittenden Bridge parking area. This full day’s hike up and over the southern end of the heavily forested Mirror Plateau to Wapiti Lake is a reward in itself for the strong hiker. The lake is about 18 miles from Chittenden Bridge.
Sour Creek Trail—Park at Chittenden Bridge parking lot. This very popular riding trail is also a beautiful walk. Allow a little more than a half a day for the roundtrip walk to Wrangler Lake. Follow the Wapiti Lake trail for about 1½ miles. Follow the signs at the junction, bearing right (south) to the lake, an additional 3¼ miles. Most of the way is through large rolling meadows at the northern end of Hayden Valley. Elk often graze at Wrangler Lake early and late in the day.
Howard Eaton Trail to Lake—Allow a full day for the hike from Chittenden Bridge through Hayden Valley on the east side of the Yellowstone River. Grizzly bear, bison, elk, and moose—or their sign—are commonly seen on this walk. All large animals are potentially dangerous and should not be approached. A lone bull bison is alone for several reasons, one of which may be that he just does not want any company. Also, for your own safety and for their well-being you should never disturb wildlife with young.
The river teems with life. It is closed to fishing in Hayden Valley so that nesting waterfowl can raise their young in peace. Look for ducks, geese, trumpeter swans, pelicans, muskrat, mink, otter, and coyotes.
GRAND CANYON AND FALLS OF THE YELLOWSTONE
TRAILS, ROADS, AND FACILITIES
CANYON JCT. Showers And Laundry Cabins Campground Amphitheater Gas Station Visitor Center “P” Loop Cabins Riding Stable To Tower Junction To Norris Junction North Rim Drive Service Road Chittenden Bridge To Yellowstone Lake Cascade Lake Trail Howard Eaton Trail To Tower To 7 Mile Hole To Lake North Rim Trail Brink of Falls Trail Lookout Point Red Rock Point Grandview Glacial Boulder Inspiration Point Yellowstone River UPPER FALLS Cascade Creek Crystal Falls LOWER FALLS South Rim Trail Uncle Tom’s Trail Artist Point Sublime Point Silver Cord Cascade South Rim Drive UNCLE TOM’S PARKING AREA Clear Lake Trail Clear Lake Lily Pad Lake Ribbon Lake Trail Ribbon Lake Wapiti Lake Trail Sour Cr. Trail C.M.—T.T.—P.T. 67