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Hiking and Hoofing Experience Yellowstone with a llama
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he 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 an-
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imals 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.” >
JASON WILLIAMS/WILDLAND LLAMAS
BY SARAH SEKULA
