Hiking Trail Options and Maps, plus bear/ cougar question

Going to YNP for a week in July and I have been trying to narrow down some day hiking itineraries out of the numerous options available. I compared two books yesterday when I was at REI - 1) Falcon guide, ';Hiking Yellowstone National Park';, 2nd ed. by Bill Schneider and 2) Top Trails, ';Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Must Do Hikes...';. I chose the Falcon guide mainly because he broke down the hikes by category. It also included a great section on dealing with wildlife which I found helpful(I was able to handle an empty Grizzly repellent spray container at REI and that removed a little of the mystery regarding that issue). I also purchased the Top Trails/National Geograhic map for YNP and it is easy to use, tear resistant, and gives a great overview. You can also get more in depth maps from the NPS for specific quadrants of the park if you want that info. Bottom line, I feel these publications really helped remove the overwhelmed feeling I had in trying to pick out the best hiking options for my family. Question, do experienced hikers make specific noises in YNP to alert bears and cougars? I.E. = clapping, loud talking, whistles. Just looking for the most common and easy options. Thanks

Hiking Trail Options and Maps, plus bear/ cougar question

Pete-

First, I would talk to the rangers when you get there. They will know the current ';hot'; spots, and places to avoid. Dont hike early in the morning or late at night. Some people put jingle bells on their walking sticks. If you have a group of 4 or more, and you are making conversation, that is usually enough. (A bear has never attacked anyone in a party of 4 or more in the park). Whistles are more for emergencies, so maybe avoid those. With your bear spray, caution if you use it. Don%26#39;t be down wind! If you have small kids, singing works well. My dad%26#39;s personal favorite when hiking alone... ';Heeeeyyyy beeearrr!'; every min or so.

Kampergirl

Hiking Trail Options and Maps, plus bear/ cougar question

Thanks for the great suggestions. Based upon what I am hearing in books and here on TA, I will likely avoid my early a.m. solo hikes that I like to take when the wife and kids are sleeping in and stick to the foursome hikes.

Some folks, me included, don%26#39;t like the incessant and penetrating sound of the bells. The bears know we are there through the other techniques.

Amen on the bells. After 5 minutes of listening to our own bell a couple of years ago in Rocky Mountain NP I decided that I would rather be eaten by a mountain lion then listen to the bell any longer. We resorted to talking loud and clapping occasionally.

What good 2-3 hour hikes did you find? We are going next week and are staying two night at old Faithful, 1 night at Mammmouth and 1 at Canyon.

Its a long book and I am only at the section in the Northwest which would include Mammoth. There is a hike directly out of Mammoth called ';Beaver Ponds'; that is a 5 mile loop that sounds good. The trail head starts below the Liberty Cap on the north edge of the thermal area. Moderate difficulty. Suggest getting the book or maps to give you more info.

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