Itinerary
- Day 1
Jackson Hole to Yellowstone Trailhead
After a 4-hour shuttle drive to the trailhead in northwestern Yellowstone, you'll start hiking from meadows below Terrace Mountain around 7,000 feet elevation. Watch for bison right from the beginning of this section. The trail covers 6.1 miles with 750 feet of elevation gain, taking you through open meadows and then into pine and fir forest. By evening you'll reach Gardner River camp, where you'll settle in for the night along the riverbank.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking to Gardner River camp (6.1 miles, 750 feet elevation gain)
- Professional Yellowstone hiking guide services
Landmarks Terrace Mountain Gardner River - Day 2
Gardner River Camp
From Gardner River camp, there's an optional day hike up Electric Peak, which sits at nearly 11,000 feet as the tallest peak in the Gallatin Range. The 8-mile round trip climbs the southeast ridge with 3,000 feet of elevation gain each way. The first couple miles follow a moderate trail before it gets steeper and less defined. Even if you don't go for the summit, the mountain's flanks provide solid views and a tough but satisfying day. You'll return to camp by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Professional Yellowstone hiking guide services
Optional Activities
- Day hike up southeast ridge of Electric Peak (8 miles, 3,000 feet elevation gain/loss each way)
Landmarks Electric Peak Gallatin Range - Day 3
Electric Pass to Sportsman Lake
This morning you'll hike 3 miles with 1,800 feet of elevation gain to Electric Pass on Electric Peak's southwestern shoulder, where the views are worth the work. From there, you'll descend 2,100 feet down the valley on the other side, heading toward Sportsman Lake and getting a different angle on Electric Peak from the west. The day ends at a small meadow camp beneath another large mountain, giving you time to explore the area as evening comes on.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking to Electric Pass and Sportsman Lake camp (6.2 miles total, 1,800 feet elevation gain, 2,100 feet elevation loss)
- Professional Yellowstone hiking guide services
Optional Activities
- Evening hiking around Sportsman Lake area
Landmarks Electric Pass Electric Peak Sportsman Lake - Day 4
Sportsman Lake to Fan Creek
You'll start by walking through burned forest from the 1988 fires, seeing how the lodgepole pines are bouncing back with young trees reaching nearly 20 feet tall now. After reaching a high ridge, the burned timber falls away and you enter a nice forest alongside Fan Creek. This section doesn't get heavy use from backpackers, so it's quiet. You'll find peaceful camping in this less crowded area of Yellowstone, settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking through burned forest and Fan Creek valley (8.7 miles, 600 feet elevation gain, 850 feet elevation loss)
- Professional Yellowstone hiking guide services
Landmarks Fan Creek - Day 5
Fan Creek to Trailhead
The final day is mostly downhill, a short 2.8-mile hike through open country to reach the trailhead in the Gallatin River Valley near where Fan Creek meets the Gallatin River. This section is good for spotting moose and bears, so keep an eye out. Once you finish the hike, you'll have a 3.5-hour shuttle drive back to your hotel in Jackson Hole, wrapping up the backpacking trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Final guided hike to trailhead (2.8 miles, 350 feet elevation loss)
- Professional Yellowstone hiking guide services
Landmarks Fan Creek Gallatin River
