This 20.6-mile out-and-back in the northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park culminates with panoramic views from the rocky crown of Electric Peak.
Featuring a memorable mix of plains, peaks, and wildlife, this 20.6-mile trek scales the scree-laden slopes of Electric Peak for unobstructed views across Yellowstone National Park. The route begins on the south side of Kingman Pass at the Bunsen Peak/Glen Creek trailhead and travels east through the sagebrush grasslands. (Keep an eye out for grizzly and bison, which roam the area.)
Cruise past a few trail junctions and remain on the path that points directly for the pyramid-shaped Electric Peak. Past the plains, the trail continues up a small river valley and then ducks into a thick forest of Douglas fir. At mile 6, continue straight at a three-way junction to spend the night at campsite 1G3 or 1G4.
The next day, backtrack to the three-way junction and turn left to tackle the climb up Electric Peak. Near the summit, veer left at a noticeable notch to bypass a crumbling fin of rock and traverse the loose scree at its base. After 10.3 miles, the route crests Electric Peak. Gaze out across Yellowstone National Park and look south for views of the Tetons. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.
DISTANCE: 20.6 miles
TIME REQUIRED: 2–3 days
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
CONTACT: Yellowstone National Park, (307) 344-2163; nps.gov/yell
THE PAYOFF: Top your wildlife hike with a scramble up a high Yellowstone peak.
TRAILHEAD GPS: 44.9122739, -110.3874063
FINDING THE TRAILHEAD: From the West Yellowstone entrance, In Wyoming, continue on US 20 for 11.5 miles. Turn left at Grand Loop Road/US 89 and continue for 29.5 miles to Bunsen Peak/Glen Creek trailhead.
WAYPOINTS & DIRECTIONS
GPS: 44.932162, -110.728133 Bunsen Peak/Glen Creek trailhead. Cross the road and follow Glen Creek to the northeast.
GPS: 44.933594, -110.731829 Continue straight at the junction with Howard Eaton Trail, heading northwest. The trail travels toward the Electric Peak massif.
GPS: 44.956060, -110.744990 Stay left at fork toward Sportsman Lake, then continue straight at the next two junctions with Snowpass Trail.
GPS: 44.967116, -110.755213 Cross the small stream at the dip in the trail before reaching the junction with Sepulcher Mountain Trail. Stay left toward Sportsman Lake at the fork.
GPS: 44.978475, -110.788450 Veer away from the creek bed and enter thick Douglas fir forest.
GPS: 44.980517, -110.792895 Stay left at fork toward Sportsman Lake, avoiding Cache Lake.
GPS: 44.972472, -110.803857 At the junction with Southeast Electric Peak Trail, continue straight to the campsites.
GPS: 44.974521, -110.811474 Spend the night at the scenic Upper Gardner Campsite, returning to the previous junction in the morning and turning left to begin the summit attempt.
GPS: 44.982065, -110.819006 The warm-up is over as the trail makes an abrupt turn up the steep ridge. From here on out, it's an upward hike on the edge of grass and trees.
GPS: 44.990845, -110.825829 Cross over the soft, sandy soil to the next ridgeline. From here, it's a straight shot up the peak.
GPS: 44.994858, -110.830529 Cut left of the rock wall.
GPS: 44.997298, -110.832294 Cross the second rock wall from right to left.
GPS: 45.002566, -110.835088 Cross the Wyoming-Montana border.
GPS: 45.003310, -110.836086 Veer left at a noticeable notch and traverse the scree field at the base of the fin. (Caution: Do not climb over the rock fin that towers above the route.)
GPS: 45.005282, -110.837556 Electric Peak Summit. From this Montana summit, gaze out across Yellowstone National Park; views stretch south to the Tetons. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.