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Trip Itinerary and Details: Gallatin Crest Traverse
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Day 1
Shuttle to Specimen Creek TH: 1.5-hour drive
Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
This Yellowstone backpacking trip begins in the scenic Gallatin River Valley that roughly defines the park’s northwestern boundary. The trailhead lies at 7,000 feet; the lowest elevation of the hike. It is a 6.5 mile hike upstream along Specimen Creek, a lovely creek that feeds the Gallatin, to a beautiful camp in the meadows along the east fork of the creek.
Day 2
Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 850 feet
After a leisurely breakfast it is a short hike (~3.5 miles) to Yellowstone's High Lake; a pleasant lake nestled among rolling meadows near the crest. Moose are sometimes seen in the meadows along this part of the trail. After we make camp a day hike up the trail will yield our first glimpses of the grand views to be had from the Gallatin Crest.
Day 3
Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Day 3's hike is the longest of the trip. Shortly out of camp the group is rewarded with tremendous views of Paradise Valley. Further on we leave the main trail behind to make use of an obscure trail that sticks to the crest. This old trail is not marked on any map and is known only to a handful of locals. Dramatic views of the western valleys dominate this part of the hike. All the way we can see our destination on the other side of the broad valley - Shelf Lake, Yellowstone's highest lake.
Day 4
Mileage: 5.8 miles - optional round trip day hike
Elevation Gain/Loss: approximately 2,000 feet
This is a layover day. You will have the option of lounging in camp or participating in an exciting day hike to the summit of Bighorn Peak. The climb follows the highest part of the crest - with very few trees and a narrow profile the crest affords incredible 360 degree views. Bighorn Sheep are frequently seen among these high crags and ridges of Yellowstone.
Day 5
Mileage: 7.8 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,250 feet
Shuttle to Bozeman: 1.5-hour drive
Our final day consists of a long hike down the North Fork of Specimen Creek. The trail descends sharply from Shelf Lake into thick stands of majestic spruce and fir trees. Specimen Creek grows quickly as we hike downstream and soon we are in the beautiful lower meadows that the we hiked through on the first day. A final 2 miles of hiking brings us to the van and this backpacking trip’s completion. |
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- We provide roundtrip transportation from Bozeman, Montana to Yellowstone National Park and back.
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Yellowstone hiking guide
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day.
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and technical multi-day backpack
- Use of trekking poles
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you and your family to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
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You'll meet your hiking guide and group in Bozeman, Montana for an orientation meeting at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. The next morning we'll pick you up at your hotel for transport to the trailhead. For Private Yellowstone Tours, you also have the option to originate your trip in West Yellowstone.
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All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, cous cous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried).
In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, energy bars, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
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What we Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter and Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware tents
- Sierra Designs sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Mountain Safety Research cooking stoves
- Mountain Safety Research cookware
What Gear to Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. Theses items are three 1-liter waterbottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
What Clothes to Bring
For clothing please refer to your trip packet for a recommended list based on the time of year (if you don't have one yet, please contact us and we'll email you one). All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots (reliable brands are Montrail, Lowa, Merrell, Vasque, and Salomon), rain gear, and non-cotton clothing layers. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
NOTE:
For hiking gear and clothing we recommend Tents and Trails. They'll happily ship to you, and as a Wildland Trekking guest you receive a 10% discount!
What Not to Bring
Please do not bring:
- Cell phones - It is unlikely you will get a signal anyway. On many tours we make other provisions for emergency communications (satellite phone).
- Stereos or radios
- Perfumes or colognes
- No deodorant
- Large knives or hatchets
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Weather in Yellowstone
Being a Northern mountain environment, Yellowstone is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Yellowstone. On the Spring Trekking Adventure in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you're likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet). See below for average summer temperatures in Yellowstone:
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| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) |
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Month |
High / Low |
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June |
70° |
42° |
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July |
80° |
47° |
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August |
78° |
45° |
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September |
68° |
37° |
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Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT's, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We've developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-4453 (HIKE) for more information.
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Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our About Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size
The standard group size on our scheduled hiking tours is five guests and one guide. On occasion our trips will have more than five guests, in which case we'll staff two guides for a consistent 5:1 ratio. Our custom and family trips often run with as many as ten guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 800-715-4453 and we'll answer all your questions. |
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MH Ross Travel Insurance Services
Travel insurance protects the investment you've made in your travel plans, and it protects you while your'e traveling. MH Ross has been in business for nearly 50 years and is one of the most respected companies in the industry. With a choice of plans that cover a broad range of potential circumstances, responsive and reliable service, and affordable rates, they're a great choice. Please read more on our Trip Insurance page. |
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To register for a hiking tour or guided backpacking trip, please complete our Request a Reservation form or call us at 800-715-4453. We'll email you a detailed trip packet and .pdf registration document and ask you to complete the document and return it via email, fax or regular mail with a $250 per person deposit (check out Terms and Conditions for information on our refund policy). The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the first day of your trip. Feel free to call us with any questions! |
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