You start this hike with a big ford of a big river, the Snake. It's usually easy to cross after mid-July, but to play it safe check river conditions at the South Entrance Ranger Station before you leave. If the river is too high, you can start your hike 3 miles south of the park at the Shelfield Creek Trailhead (trail not shown on most maps), just south of the Flagg Ranch.The first leg of the hike to the meadow by Snake Hot Springs is somewhat monotonous. The trail stays in the unburned timber along (but out of sight of) the Snake River. You can't really get a good view until you break out of the forest into the meadow by the hot springs. For the next half mile or so, the trail passes several hot springs and pools.Near Snake Hot Springs, you might think you see a small prairie dog town, but this is actually the burrows dug by yellow-bellied marmots. Interestingly, this local population tends to build burrows in the open meadow along the trail instead of the rocky hillsides. Also, they tend to delay hibernation later than usual because of the extra warmth the hot springs area provides. At the junction with the Snake River Trail, turn right (southeast) and follow the Snake River as it makes a big loop to the south. The trail climbs away from the river and stays out of sight most of the next 3 miles with the exception of where it goes through a big meadow in the last mile before coming to the junction with the Wolverine Creek Trail heading south out of the park. Just before you reach the meadow, you might see the Snake River Cutoff Trail going off to your left (east). It'stempting to take this trail to trim some distance off the trip, but resist the temptation. This trail is low on the priority list for maintenance and is often difficult to follow. You'll save time by staying on the South Boundary Trail.Take a left (east) at the Wolverine Creek junction and hike through an open, unburned forest to the Harebellpatrol cabin, where you'll find the junction with the trail going north up the Snake River. From here, you drop into the Snake River Valley again, fording the river just before you reach the cutoff trail and 8C4. The ford is easier than the one you did at the beginning of the hike. After the ford, the trail continues through meadows andunburned timber to the junction with the Basin Creek Trail, where you turn left (northwest) and hike throughintermittently burned timber to the Heart Lake Trail junction.At this junction, go left (south) and hike about 1 mile through a big meadow to Basin Creek Lake. On a hot day, you might feel like jumping in the lake, but I'd advise against it. My kids tried it, and they had a dozen leaches on their legs in a few minutes.From Basin Creek Lake, you drop into Red Creek and follow it through meadows and open forest until youreach the Snake River Trail junction, where you turned two days earlier. Here, you ford the Snake River againjust before the junction. From here, retrace your steps to the South Entrance Trailhead.

The trailhead is about 100 yards south of the South Entrance Station.

This hike avoids the problematic shuttles of most long backpacking trips in Yellowstone and replaces it with Hot springs, lakes and abundant wildlife.