Astringent Creek Trail

Astringent Creek Trail is a 9.1-mile one-way backcountry connector from the Pelican Valley Trail junction to the Wapiti Lake trail network. Its line follows the Astringent and Broad Creek corridor near White, Tern and Fern lakes. It is a through-route, not a loop; the saved distance covers only the connector, not the approach from a road or your return. Allow about 6.5 hours for the connector itself. It stays around 7,900–8,300 feet, so its length and remoteness matter more than a sustained climb.

The practical southern access is Pelican Valley Trailhead, at the end of the gravel road about three miles east of Fishing Bridge Visitor Center. The Astringent Creek section begins about 4.4 miles farther along Pelican Valley Trail. From the parking area to the connector’s northern junction is about 13.6 miles one way; the mapped line does not include a return or onward route. Plan how you will exit before setting out. The Pelican Valley approach is closed April 1–July 3 and is day-use only, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., July 4–November 10. Yellowstone recommends groups of four or more in this bear-management area. Pets are not allowed on park trails.

The connector runs through creek and meadow country close to White, Tern and Fern lakes, but it does not trace their shorelines. Tern Lake is the signature landmark: from the trail, the lake opens against marsh meadow, forest and distant ridges. A shorter Tern Lake outing is also described from the Pelican Valley corridor, but its endpoints and distance convention are unclear; that shorter figure does not describe this full connector.