Beginning at the trailhead the trail drops dramatically 600 feet over the course of a mile passing through Douglas-fir forests. Consider this as you begin your journey back to the trailhead. Black bear are often reported seen on this trail. A highlight of the hike is when you cross over the Yellowstone River at the 1-mile mark on a large steel suspension bridge as the rushing waters below pass through a narrowed rock gorge. It is an impressive sight to behold and a fun experience to be on a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River.

 

The trail will eventually leave the forest area, traverse across areas of sagebrush, and at the 2-mile mark junction with the Hellroaring Creek. If you continue on the trail it will lead you to backcountry campsites 2H4 and 2H2. At the 3.5-mile mark, you reach the confluence of Hellroaring Creek and the Yellowstone River. This is a beautiful setting and a good place to relax and cast a line in hopes of catching a native cutthroat trout.