Let a llama lighten your load in Yellowstone National Park

BY SARAH SEKULA

The mountains and valleys that surround Yellowstone National Park offer some of the best sight-seeing and camping opportunities in the U.S. However, you’ll need the right clothing, gear and food to make the most of it.

Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to carry that load yourself — not if you decide to hike with a llama.

Llamas have been used as pack animals in Central and South America for centuries. At Yellowstone, these sure-footed animals allow hikers to camp in the backcountry without having to carry weighty packs. The llamas are in charge of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on soaking up the scenery.

The furry porters are agile, dependable and forgiving. They slog through rivers with no problem and can even get past fallen logs with a vertical leap that can exceed 3 feet.

“A well-trained pack llama can be a joy to be around and a great trail companion to hike with,” says Dennis Duenas of Montana Llama Guides. “People just really love being around the llamas. Many times I feel people travel to Yellowstone Country to see wildlife and really wish they could reach out and pet the wild bison or wild elk. Hiking with llamas, you get the balance of being around these regal creatures and getting to pet them.” >

On average, llamas weigh between 280 and 450 pounds and can carry 25 percent to 30 percent of their body weight.

An added bonus: Llamas are a natural bear repellent. They have excellent eyesight and loud vocal reactions, so you can count on them to recognize trouble and let out piercing cries to drive threatening animals away. Add to that the fact that they also growl like Chewbacca, and you’ve got yourself an excellent and entertaining hiking companion.

Montana Llama Guides will help prepare hikers for a do-it-yourself trip. Trainings are available for $125. For experienced llama hikers, there’s a two-animal minimum for trips that range from one to more than eight days, starting at $70 per day.

Select from three- or five-day excursions through Yellowstone with Wilderness Ridge Trail Llamas, starting at $1,175. See waterfalls, geysers, wildlife and fishing holes.

Another operator, Wildland Trekking, offers trips ranging in duration from three to seven days, starting at $1,725.

Hiking in Yellowstone is appealing on many levels. There are nearly 1,000 miles of trails to explore, rushing rivers filled with trout, scenic meadows and dramatic mountains.

Not to mention there’s a very good chance you’ll spot mountain goats, moose and bears while you’re out. Come nighttime, you’ll be treated to a dreamy view of the star-studded sky.

Peak season at Yellowstone is June through August; expect crowds as the park reopens following its COVID-19-related closure. l