The Hoodoos

Just south of the Upper Terrace in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park lies the Hoodoos, an area full of large boulders on both sides of the road. The Yellowstone Hoodoos are not real Hoodoos like those in Bryce Canyon National Park, but they are actually large travertine limestone boulders that fell in a landslide from nearby Terrace Mountain. The Hoodoos Trail is a quick day hike with little elevation gain from the Snow Pass Trailhead (1K2). Half a mile past the Upper Terrace Parking, look to the right to find the trailhead; you should be able to point out the first trail sign and footpaths from the road. Parking at 1K2 can easily fit several cars. The trail starts off in a forested area but soon opens up to an open landscape with sagebrush and views of Terrace Mountain in the distance. Gradually work your way uphill to the Hoodoos. Large boulders are scattered everywhere, with some the size of a small house! Look and listen carefully for small pikas that hide in this rocky area. From the Hoodoos, continue heading south toward Kingman Pass. Around the pass there is a short section of trail that has a steep drop-off, so tread with caution. As you turn the edges of Terrace Mountain, a grand view of Gardneras Hole comes into view. Across the pass, see the trail for Bunsen Peak at the top of the cliff and Rustic Falls by the road below. To make this an out-and-back hike, turn around at the Glen Creek Trailhead and return along the same path.