Gallatin Crest Traverse
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 24MI / 39KM
Trip Highlights
We were excited when we added it, and we can’t help but stay excited about our Gallatin Crest Traverse backpacking adventure! Phenomenal views, diverse wildlife, high mountain lakes, and classic meadows are the signature attractions of this hiking tour. In far Northwestern Yellowstone a little known route straddles the crest of the picturesque Gallatin Mountains. This route features the best views in Yellowstone, crystalline lakes, lush meadows, beautiful valleys and abundant wildlife. Shelf Lake, your backdrop for two nights, is the park’s highest lake at 9,200 feet. A layover day high on the crest caps this one off and allows for an exciting one day hike to the top of Bighorn Peak.
If you’re interested in getting up in the mountains and experiencing more of America’s first national park than what you can see from the roads, this “top of the world” Yellowstone hike is for you. Call us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) to reserve your spot today!
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Amazing Gallatin Mountains
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Paradise Valley Views
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Yellowstone's Highest Lake
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Mountain Solitude
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Deep Wilderness
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Ascend Bighorn Peak
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Wildlife
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-8 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?
The majority of this trip is on good trails, with some steep, loose, and rocky sections. There are a few creek crossing, none of which are significant.
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: 3.5-hour drive
Hiking Mileage: 6.4 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
Hiking Mileage: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 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
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 4
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles – optional round trip day hike
Elevation Gain/Loss: approximately 1500 feet
Today is a layover day. We will hike the Sky Rim Trail to the summit of Big Horn Peak before returning to our camp at Shelf Lake for the night. 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
Hiking Mileage: 8.2 miles
Elevation Loss: 2200 feet
Shuttle 3.5-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.
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)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Christa P
1 year agoFantastic Trip
Fantastic trip in a remote corner of Yellowstone! From mountain views, meadows in full bloom, wooded streams and alpine lakes, every day was one beautiful vista after another. Our guide was well prepared, knowledgeable about the Yellowstone ecosystem, and safety minded. Only suggestion is to give a better idea about the difficulty of the ascent on Day 3 on the trip description. You rate the trip as moderate in difficulty but that climb is very difficult.
Daniel M
1 year agoGreat Trip
Matt and Camilla were great guides, fun, knowledgeable and easy going. Matt knew the trail and did a great job of making sure we knew what to expect as we trekked, what would be tough going and what should be easier. It made it easier for me to prepare. Camilla was always giving positive feedback and encouragement and both had great stories to share. I would definitely love to have either as a guide on a future Wildland tour.
John G
2 years agoJust Fabulous
Yellowstone is just fabulous. Bob Clark brought so much to the adventure in so many ways. Bob's knowledge of geography, biology, botany, and geology is impressive and adds to the experience. The food was delicious, plentiful and well planned out. I would recommend Wildland Trekking, the Gallitan Traverse and Bob Clark to friends and family. I will be returning to Yellowstone with Bob next year.
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