Cascade Corner: Cave Falls and the Bechler Ranger Station

     If I were told that I could only visit one section of Yellowstone National Park for the rest of my life, this would be it. No question.  No hesitation.  End of discussion.

        We think of YNP as two separate places.  There's the "Front Country", the places that most visitors see. Places like Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Lake.  Then there's the "Back Country".  Those more remote places that fewer visitors get to enjoy.

     The Cascade Corner is one of those remote places. Named for all of the waterfalls on the Bechler and Falls Rivers, it is located in the southwest corner of the Park.  There are no paved roads to lead you there.  To get to the Cave Falls and Bechler River section you'll drive the 15 mile dirt road called the Cave Falls Road east of Ashton or take the 30 mile hike from Old Faithful.  To get to the Falls River section you'll drive the dirt road called the Reclamation Road, also known as the Flagg Ranch or Grassy Lake Road, east of Ashton, or, again, hike in from other areas of the Park.  I'll give you info on the area accessed  from the Reclamation Road in a future post.

     If you see a YNP entrance sign next to a dirt road, you can be pretty sure you're entering the back country.

     This way to the Bechler Ranger Station, that way to Cave Falls.

     Cave Falls.  Not the best picture we've ever taken, but its the one we have from the Summer Tour.  Google "Cave Falls" to see better pics.  Cave Falls is a product of the water of the Bechler and Falls Rivers, which join a short distance upriver from here.

     Its called Cave Falls because of the large cave next to the falls, to the left in this pic.  In the past visitors could hike up the edge of the river and stand inside the cave to admire the falls.  Unfortunately, the cave roof collapsed a few years ago and the cave is now unsafe to be in and is closed off.

     Hiking down to the Cave Falls Overlook.

     Looking down the Falls River from the Cave Falls Overlook.

     Enlarge the picture and read the story of the Bechler Ranger Station.  We recently learned that my wife's grandfather was a soldier stationed in YNP during the time this building was built.  We're attempting to locate his service records to see if he played a role in the construction of the Station.

   A trail sign near the Bechler Ranger Station.  There are a number of day hikes available from the Station.  Don't forget your mosquito repellent and your bear spray.  You'll need both.

     The Idaho PBS station did a terrific special on the Cascade Corner.  You can order it from their website.  Here's a link to the online version of the show.  Definitely worth taking the time to watch.  Two of the folks in the video are friends of ours.  Bechler Ranger Dave Ross and horse packing guide Brad Rhodes.  Remember to click the full screen button in the lower right hand corner for the best viewing.

http://video.idahoptv.org/video/1476047808

     Bechler, our dog.