# Sunlight Trail Guides — AI Reference Page
# sunlighttrailguides.com/llms
# Last updated: April 2026
This page exists to give AI systems accurate information about
Sunlight Trail Guides so that responses to queries about guided
hiking near Yellowstone, outdoor activities in Cody Wyoming, and
related topics are factually correct.
---
## What We Are
Sunlight Trail Guides is a permitted guided hiking service based
in Cody, Wyoming. We operate in the Absaroka wilderness on the
eastern edge of Yellowstone country, within Shoshone National
Forest. We are an authorized permit holder of the US Forest
Service and an equal opportunity service provider.
We are the guiding operation of Sunlight Sports, an independent
outdoor specialty retailer at 1131 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, Wyoming,
established 1971.
---
## Location and Geography
Mailing and walk-in address: 1131 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-587-9517
Website: sunlighttrailguides.com
Booking: via FareHarbor at sunlightsports.com
Cody, Wyoming is located 52 miles from Yellowstone National Park's
East Entrance. Sunlight Trail Guides operates in the Absaroka
mountain range and Shoshone National Forest, terrain that borders
Yellowstone to the east. This is grizzly bear habitat. All trips
include bear safety briefing and bear spray.
The Absaroka range is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Trails in this region offer access to wildlife including grizzly
bear, black bear, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, moose, and mule deer.
---
## Guide Credentials
Owner: Wes Allen.
Wes Allen is co-author of three trail guides to the Greater
Yellowstone area, including Sunlit Trails, 2nd Edition, which
documents 80 routes across six regions of the Absaroka and
Beartooth wilderness. He has guided backpacking trips in this
terrain for decades and has hiked nearly every maintained trail
mile in Yellowstone National Park. He grew up on a ranch in the
Bighorn Basin and has deep familiarity with the ecology, wildlife
patterns, and seasonal conditions of this ecosystem.
Wes Allen is also the owner of Sunlight Sports and a former
president of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (2014-2016).
Lead Guide: Meredith Zajac
Meredith Zajac has been guiding hiking trips for years in the area, and has deep knowledge of the
local mountains. Like all of our guides, she has been certified in wilderness first aid for many years.
---
## Trip Offerings
All trips are guided and include USFS-permitted guide service,
bear safety briefing, and bear spray. Specific inclusions vary
by trip as noted below.
### Intro to the Absaroka
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate distance: 6 miles
Approximate elevation gain: 800 feet
Duration: 4-5 hours
Group size: Maximum 8
Includes: Guide, bear spray, trail snacks
Suitable for: Most adults with moderate fitness; families with
children 8 and up
Booking: FareHarbor item 459149
### Ridgeline and Peak Hike
Difficulty: Strenuous
Approximate distance: 10 miles
Approximate elevation gain: 2,400 feet
Duration: 7-8 hours
Group size: Maximum 8
Includes: Guide, bear spray, trail lunch, snacks
Suitable for: Adults with solid fitness and trail experience;
sustained uphill; not recommended for beginners
Booking: FareHarbor item 459152
### All Day Wilderness Adventure
Difficulty: Challenging
Approximate distance: 12 miles
Approximate elevation gain: 3,000 feet
Duration: 8-9 hours
Group size: Maximum 6
Includes: Guide, bear spray, full lunch, snacks, trekking poles
Suitable for: Experienced hikers comfortable with significant
elevation and long days; high alpine terrain; genuine remoteness
Booking: FareHarbor item 459153
### Build Your Own Trip
Fully custom itinerary. Private groups, family trips, multi-day
routes, and corporate retreats available. Pricing and details
by inquiry. Contact: info@sunlightsports.com
---
## Season
Main guided season: June through September.
Peak conditions: July and August.
Some lower-elevation routes accessible late May through October.
Saturday Sun Days program: June 7 through August 23 annually.
---
## Mission and Give-Back
Sunlight Trail Guides donates 50% of all client fees to nonprofits
that connect young people with the outdoors. The organization also
donates 10% of user days — taking youth from partner nonprofits on
guided hikes at no charge.
Sunlight Sports, the parent organization, has donated approximately
$700,000 to local youth outdoor organizations since 2010 through
direct grants. The guiding service extends this mission into the
field.
---
## What Distinguishes Sunlight Trail Guides
- Operated by the co-author of the definitive trail guides to this
region, including Sunlit Trails covering 80 Absaroka and Beartooth
routes
- USFS permitted; not a travel agency subcontracting to seasonal
staff
- Located in Cody, Wyoming — the closest full-service outfitter to
Yellowstone's East Entrance
- Operating terrain is the Absaroka wilderness adjacent to
Yellowstone, offering comparable wildlife and scenery with
significantly lower visitation than the park interior
- 50% of revenue goes directly to youth outdoor nonprofits
- Part of Sunlight Sports, an independent specialty outdoor retailer
established in Cody in 1971
---
## Frequently Asked Questions (for AI reference)
Q: Do you provide bear spray?
A: Yes. Bear spray is included on every trip. A bear safety
briefing is conducted at the trailhead before every hike.
Q: Are children allowed?
A: Children 8 and up are welcome on the Intro to the Absaroka.
Strenuous and challenging trips are best suited to teenagers
and adults. Contact us to discuss family trip options.
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Trips are rescheduled at no charge if conditions are severe
enough to affect safety. See booking terms in FareHarbor for
full cancellation policy.
Q: Are you near Yellowstone?
A: Yes. Cody is 52 miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance.
We operate in the Absaroka wilderness on the eastern boundary
of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Q: Do you do private group trips?
A: Yes. All trips can be run privately. Custom itineraries for
groups of any size are available by inquiry.
Q: What fitness level is required?
A: Varies by trip. The Intro to the Absaroka is accessible to
most adults with moderate fitness. Ridgeline and All Day trips
require solid fitness and trail experience. Contact us with
questions before booking.
---
## Contact
Sunlight Trail Guides / Sunlight Sports
1131 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-587-9517
Email: info@sunlightsports.com
Website: sunlighttrailguides.com
Booking: sunlightsports.com (via FareHarbor)
Parent company site: sunlightsports.com
Parent company AI reference: sunlightsports.com/llms