Observation Peak Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
2-3 Days, 1-2 Nights 10MI / 16KM
Trip Highlights
This Yellowstone backpacking tour is a great opportunity to get younger kids away from the busy highways and give them a taste of camping in the amazing backcountry of Yellowstone. It can be done in 2 or 3 days, and it features beautiful but mellow hiking with low mileages (only 2.7 miles in and out of camp). We enjoy camping on the shores of a pristine lake, hiking to a lookout tower for amazing views, campfires (weather permitting), and enjoying Yellowstone’s stunning wilderness!
The sunsets and sunrises from our lakeside camp are breathtaking. On the 2-day itinerary we’ll continue hiking to Observation Peak the first day, but on the 3-day itinerary we’ll hike to Grebe Lake, which is a fantastic area for wildlife. That evening we’ll enjoy a big, tasty dinner at our cozy camp.
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Great Family Trip
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Camp Near Cascade Lake
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Historic Fire Lookout
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Amazing Views
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Short Hiking Distances
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Day Hike to Observation Peak
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Opportunities to See Wildlife
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
2-3 Days, 1-2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-7 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?
This trip is on well traveled trails. It can be buggy in early to mid summer, and fairly muddy that time of year as well. The hike up to Observation Peak is steadily uphill with about 1300ft of elevation gain.
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 Mileage: 3 miles + 4 miles day hiking
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
From Jackson we’ll drive through the Southern Yellowstone to the Cascade Creek Trailhead. Wildlife is typically seen on the way to the trailhead. It is a 3-mile hike to Cascade Lake, a picturesque lake with excellent fishing where we’ll make camp. Following lunch there will be an optional day hike to Grebe Lake, the headwaters of the Gibbon River. Grebe Lake is one of just a few lakes in the park that is home to the arctic grayling, a rare and unusual looking fish native to Yellowstone. Various waterfowl frequent the lake and deer and moose are sometimes spotted along the shore.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles (optional day hike)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1400 feet
Following a casual morning and delicious breakfast we’ll commence our ascent of Observation Peak. From the lake, it is 2.5 miles of steady uphill through open meadows and whitebark pine forest to the summit, 1,300 feet above the lake. Observation Peak possesses an abandoned, rustic fire lookout and a 360-degree panorama of portions of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. The Gallatin and Absaroka ranges are visible, as well as portions of Yellowstone Lake and the Central Plateau.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation Loss: 200 feet
Shuttle: 3-hours
Following another casual morning and delicious breakfast we’ll pack up and hike the final 3 miles back to civilization.
Pricing
2 Guests: $1500 per person
3-4 Guests: $1000 per person
5-6 Guests: $800 per person
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:
- 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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Liz S.
8 years agoFun family trip
Brian was great! The trip was me and my three hyper 13 and under kids and he was really engaging with them and they loved him and the trip and had so much fun
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