Gallatin Skyline
Guided Backpacking Trips
7 Days, 6 Nights 40MI / 64KM
Trip Highlights
The Gallatin Skyline Backpacking Tour traverses the length of the Gallatin Mountain Range inside Yellowstone National Park. It is a long, challenging, rewarding hike that features mountainous terrain, fantastic views, and abundant wildlife. With a great mix of meadow hiking, peak hiking on two prominent Yellowstone mountains, steep hikes up to high passes, and camping near rivers and lakes, this hike has it all!
You’ll also hike past Paradise Valley, with some of the best views in the park, and camp next to Shelf Lake which is the highest lake in Yellowstone, sitting at 9,200 feet in elevation. The culmination of the trip is on day six, when you’ll hike over Bighorn Peak (10,000 feet) and follow its high ridges for nearly six miles.
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Amazing Gallatin Mountains
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Stunning Views
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Deep Wilderness
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High Country Lakes & Rivers
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Hike Up High on Two Prominent Peaks
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Potential to See Wildlife
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
7 Days, 6 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
3-10 mi -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
Due to the length of this trip, pack weight is high, and there is considerable elevation change every day after day 1. There are many sections of steep and loose trail that is not well maintained. Crossing the Gardiner River on day 1 and 2 is moderately deep but not too difficult. There is one section of significant exposure near Bighorn Peak, but it is very short.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 4-hour drive
Hiking Mileage: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 750 feet
We’ll begin this Yellowstone backpacking trip from the Glen Creek Trailhead in Northwest Yellowstone, a few miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. At just over 7,000’ of elevation , the trailhead lies in beautiful meadows below Terrace Mountain. Bison are often seen even before leaving the vehicle. The day’s hike consists of a gradual but steady climb through meadows and stands of pine and fir to camp on the banks of the Gardner River, one of Yellowstone’s finest.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles (optional day hike)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3000 feet
We’ll not be moving camp this day. Instead, we’ll use the day to hike the southeast ridge of the magnificent Electric Peak, the tallest peak in the Gallatin Range at nearly 11,000’. The first two miles of the hike up the southeastern flank of the mountain travels a well-defined trail at a moderate grade. The trail gets gradually less-defined and steeper after that. Regardless of whether we summit, it is a long hike/climb that will reward us with tremendous views from the mountain’s flanks.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2100 feet
Day 3 begins with a 3-mile hike and 2,000’ of elevation gain to Electric Pass, on the southwestern shoulder of Electric Peak. There are more tremendous views of Yellowstone from here. We’ll then descend the valley on the other side, losing another 2,250’ of elevation to Sportsman Lake. Here we’ll get a different perspective on Electric Peak looking at it from the west. Sportsman Lake makes for a peaceful camp in a small meadow nestled beneath another large mountain.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
Elevation Loss: 750
Day 4 is relatively mellow as we hike across the Gallatin Crest again and transition into the Specimen Creek drainage. We’ll make camp at another beautiful Yellowstone lake called High Lake.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Elevation Loss: 2000 feet
Shortly out of camp the group is rewarded with tremendous views of Paradise Valley before descending towards Crescent Lake. After a relaxing break on the lakeshore, we’ll continue hiking through the conifers and across Specimen Creek. We’ll then climb the final 2-miles to our campsite at Shelf Lake, Yellowstone’s highest lake.
Day 6
Hiking Mileage: 9.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2700 feet
Elevation Loss: 4500 feet
Day 6 is the longest and most spectacular day of the trek and is really the culmination of the entire hike. After departing camp we’ll gain the Gallatin Crest and hike over a spectacular peak called Bighorn Peak, at nearly 10,000’. There will be fantastic views of the snowcapped Spanish Peaks to the northwest and the Gallatin Range to the southeast. Bighorn sheep are also commonly seen. We’ll hike an additional 6 miles along the crest before descending Dailey Creek to the evening’s camp. Incredible views of big country are a norm throughout this day’s hike!
Day 7
Hiking Mileage: 3.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 700 feet
Shuttle: 3.5-hour drive
Our final day on this backpacking trip consists of a short 3.5-mile hike down Daley Creek to the Daley Creek Trailhead. Your backpack no longer laden with food, you’ll be able to appreciate the broad and lush valley on this final day.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel Details
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.
You can fly into:
- Jackson Hole – some hotels and several transportation companies provide airport shuttles.
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
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. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Thomas S
2 years agoI will definitely be a repeat customer.
10 out of 10! This is a challenging trip, but very rewarding - the North Yellowstone scenery is simply stunning. If you really want to get out there in nature, this is the trip for you.
Patricia S
2 years agoDo it!
If you’re considering this trip, do it! This is a spectacular route, one that somehow gets better and better every day. The physical challenge is more than rewarded by the tremendous views. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!!
Chad M
2 years agoAmazing trip!
Amazing trip! Landon did a great job as a guide making sure everyone in the group were able to complete the itinerary each day while still getting to camp with plenty of time to eat his delicious meals and relax at the beautiful campsites!
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