Bunsen Peak is an ancient volcanic cone characteristic of Yellowstone National Park. The peak is a very popular summit hike in Yellowstone Park near Mammoth Hot Springs. The trail is wide and even in October I found folks I could tag along with per the guidelines of not hiking alone in the Park. When I begin to lag, a young woman from Israel with her American boyfriend returned to check up on me and over my macho-objection she kept with me at my slow pace to the summit. She also reminded me to not hike alone. Makes an old duffer feel quite good.
Ironically the summit name brings back memories of my high school chemistry class using a Bunsen Burner. The name does commemorate Robert Bunsen a German scientist famous for introducing the Bunsen Burner in 1855. My current use of those early ‘burner’ years is now the small portable torch I use for soldering.
The summit views are excellent as are the wildlife (bison, deer, elk, squirrels and birds) from trailhead to summit. The peak hosts a communication building and ample noninterfering space and trees for erecting antennas.
Trail: 4.6 roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1300’
Water: None along the trail.
Bear Spray: Recommended for all Yellowstone NP hikes!
Camping: NPS campground at Mammoth and a USFS campground, Eagle Creek near Gardiner Montana.
Map: Yellowstone National Park Service and National Geographic series
Directions: From Gardiner MT, enter the Park and travel to Mammoth. Beyond Mammoth travel approximately 5-miles to the trailhead. It is well marked on the Yellowstone NP map and at the trailhead.
