Mountain Country Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 25MI / 40KM
Trip Highlights
In Northwestern Yellowstone, the Gallatin Mountain Range climbs high above the rest of the Park providing a spectacular setting for this backpacking trip! Offered as a four or five day option, it can be a relatively short enhancement to your Yellowstone visit or a vacation in and of itself. Featuring the best of Yellowstone’s mountain country – rivers, meadows, lakes, deep forests, treeline passes, and alpine ridge hiking – this trek is one of the best!
We’ll start hiking near Paradise Valley – one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich areas in Yellowstone National Park. From there we’ll gradually hike uphill to our first night’s camp, nestled beneath towering alpine peaks and near a pristine mountain creek. From there it’s a beautiful hike over a high mountain pass and through to the other side of the Gallatin Mountains, with potential wildlife sighting opportunities the whole way.
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Mountain Passes & Peaks
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Pristine River & Lakes
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Mountain Solitude
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Point to Point Thru-hike
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Iconic Meadow Systems
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Potential to See Wildlife
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Dramatic Night Skies
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
3-8 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?
Both ends of this trip are on well-maintaned trails, with more rugged hiking in the middle of the trip. The climb up towards Electric Peak is steep and very rugged (which earns the “significantly rugged” rating). The trail becomes worse the higher we ascend. Other sections of our trails can be loose and steep, and lingering snowfields can add difficulty near a high pass. There is one major crossing of the Gardiner River, but it is a moderate ford.
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
This fantastic Yellowstone backpacking tour begins at a trailhead in northwestern Yellowstone. 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 gradual but steady uphill hiking through meadows and stands of pine and fir to camp on the banks of the Gardner River, one Yellowstone’s finest rivers.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles (optional day hike)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,000 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 1,800’ of elevation gain to Electric Pass, on the southwestern shoulder of Electric Peak. There are more tremendous views from here. We’ll then hike down the valley on the other side, losing 2,100’ of elevation to Sportsman Lake. Here we’ll have 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 and offers great evening hiking opportunities.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Elevation Loss: 110 feet
The first mile of hiking on Day 4 passes through a large swath of burned forest from the 1988 forest fires. This will be a good opportunity to witness the natural progression of Yellowstone’s fire-dependent lodgepole pine forests. Young trees blanket the landscape and some grow to nearly 20 feet tall. After topping out on a high ridge we’ll leave the burned timber and hike into a beautiful forest and the splendor of Fan Creek. This part of the hike gets light use by other backpackers, which may surprise you when you see how truly beautiful it is.
Day 5 (excluded on 4-day itinerary)
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Elevation Loss: 700 feet
Shuttle: 3.5-hour drive
The rest of the hike is slightly downhill through open country all the way to the trailhead. Moose and bears are frequently seen in this portion of the hike. The hike ends in the beautiful Gallatin River Valley near the confluence of Fan Creek and the majestic Gallatin River.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 4-day or 5-day itinerary, and is confirmed as such in advance. Variation of trip length does not mean guests can choose to leave a trip or early or extend it a day.
Variations
This route can also be done in 4 or 5 days. A 4-day itinerary can involve either skipping the layover day to climb Electric Peak or climbing Electric Peak and hiking all the way out from Sportsman Lake on day 4.
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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Ken D
2 years agoUplifting Life Experience
The whole adventure was amazing. Wildland's communication and instruction in advance was clear and helpful. Our guide, Liz Lucas, was peerless, making the trip hugely enjoyable, educational, and an uplifting life experience.
Bruce W
4 years agoFun time was had by all
First time with Wild Land Trekking. Professional, knowledgeable with obvious experience. Food was phenomenal. Fun time was had by all.
Bruce P.
6 years agoIncredible guide
Matt was an incredible guide and worked very hard to make our trip a wonderful experience. At the same time he has a very relaxed and enjoyable demeanor which is exactly want you want in an outdoor experience.
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