Mount Holmes and the Gallatin Range
Llama Treks
4-5 Day, 3-4 Nights 21+MI / 34+KM
Trip Highlights
Are you looking to enjoy lots of diversity in just a few days with the added bonus of not having to break-down camp each day? This trip packs a big punch in 3 or 4 days, featuring many of Yellowstone’s most sought-after features in a short amount of time. Epic mountain views, iconic Yellowstone meadows, wildflower fields, dense forests, alpine lakes and peaceful creeks are the highlights of this hike. Here, in the northwest corner of the Park, it is prime habitat for grizzlies, black bears, elk, deer, marmots, and all types of birds. We head into the Gallatin Mountain range, which boasts some of the most renowned peaks in the park, and create a base camp in the forest along Winter Creek. From there, we day hike to the 10,336′ summit of Mt. Holmes, and/or to the hidden gem of a unique and beautiful alpine lake.
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Pristine Wilderness
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Wildlife Habitat
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Peak Bagging
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Alpine Lake
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Mountain Views
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Solitude
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Llama Treks -
Trip Length
4-5 Day, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-10 mi -
Group Size
2-8 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?
This trip follows well maintained trails on the first and last day, with moderate distances, elevation changes and backpack weights. The day hikes on day 2 and/or 3 are off trail and require hiking on moderately rugged terrain with rocky, log-strewn, loose and vegetated sections.
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 hours
Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 800/500ft
This trip starts off with picturesque views as we head from the parking lot straight into open fields that burst with wildflowers most of the Summer. We quickly gain open views high on a hillside, giving us a great vantage of Grizzly Lake. The trail continues through meadows often dotted with red, yellow, purple, and pink flowers before descending into a classic Lodgepole Pine forest. Along babbling Winter Creek, we set up a cozy backcountry base camp.
Day 2
Hiking Distance: optional day hike – 10.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2700ft
We get to enjoy a morning without breaking down camp before setting off for a good day’s hike. If we’re up for an attempt at summiting Mt. Holmes, the southern terminus of the Gallatins, we’re in for a full day of breathtaking views. The trail starts with a more gradual ascent but gets us above tree line very quickly. We spend most of the first couple miles traversing the lush southern hillside below Trilobite Point. We’ll make sure to keep our eyes peeled for bears, raptors, and herds of elk. As the trail gets steeper, we’ll marvel at the changes in plants, trees, and open space of each microclimate. Approaching the summit offers renewed spectacular views of Antler Peak, Dome Mountain, and others along with the glacial-fed lakes below them. The summit features the remnants of a fire watch tower that burned down after a lightning strike. This 360-view will take your breath away as you survey Electric Peak to the North all the way to the Tetons to the South on a clear day.
Day 3
Hiking Distance: optional day hike – 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000ft
For today’s layover, we will wrap around the foothills of Trilobite Point on the opposite side from the Mt. Holmes route. After a short tromp through luscious riparian zones, we ascend a great hill that wastes no time getting us wide open views because it is a burn area. The down trees make way for a panorama of Gardners Hole, Swan Lake Flats, and Bunsen Peak. From there, we head into a dense old growth forest that channels a lusciousness reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. Trilobite Lake is literally and figuratively a hidden gem. This algae-laden lake, is tucked away by the density of the surrounding forest and the towers of peaks above it. It is a charming quiet spot to see what fish or woodland critters may be around.
Day 4
Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500/800ft
Shuttle: 3 hours
On the last day, we will finally break down camp, enjoy a delicious breakfast, pack up the llamas and say goodbye to Winter Creek. We get to enjoy our first day’s hike again in the opposite direction and hopefully add some more wildlife sightings to our trip. We’ll enjoy one more nutritious lunch together before the scenic drive back to Jackson Hole.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Pack llamas to transport the majority of gear and food
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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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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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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
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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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Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% 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 to Jackson, WY
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 Precaution
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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Nicole G
1 year agoWonderful trip!
Wonderful trip! Such a different experience with the llamas! They were very fun to have with us and learn how to help care for them. Kieron and Max were very knowledgeable and great cooks!
Mara G
1 year agoFabulous!
Kieron and Max were fabulous guides. They encouraged us to do our best and to make it "our hike". Taught us about our Llamas and how to treat/care for them. Food was delicious. We hit a small fast storm of lightning, thunder and hail on first day and they knew exactly what and when to seek shelter. I felt very safe with Kieron and Max as our guides.
Greg E
1 year agoWonderful Memories
My second trip with Wildlands was a Yellowstone llama trek with some of my grandchildren. We had an amazing experience and my grandchildren collected wonderful memories from the trip. Our guides, Dani and Ericka were attentive, gracious and incredibly hard-working. My heart is filled with gratitude for the guides and for the rich experience we had.
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