Trip Report: 2026 Yellowstone Backpack
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2026 Yellowstone Backpack By Michael* Budig |
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| HIKE | 09/14/2026 | MOD- |
| This was another "Do the Book" activity- a repeat of a trip done in 1994- in the opposite direction. We started this time at the Snow Pass Trailhead, just southwest of Mammoth and headed west towards Electric Peak. On the second day, we hiked up towards Electric Peak (about a 10-mile roundtrip with 2700 feet of elevation gain), starting a bit later than planned due to frost and a low of 26F. We moved quickly up the ridge and enjoyed great views in all directions and ideal weather. But, with a 2:00 turnaround time, we stopped a few hundred feet short of the actual peak at the "Geezer turnaround point", deciding not to deal with the very exposed class 3+ scramble required to summit. The hike down was long and steep with sweeping views. And the last of us reached camp by around 6:00. The third day required about 7 miles of backpacking, including crossing over Electric Pass on trails that were less than ideal. But we all reached camp looking forward to a rest day at Sportman Lake, which turned out to be wet and rainy. A lot of horses were camped in the nearby meadow with an outfitter camp which had some nice people we interacted with. On the fifth day, we hiked to our last camp, near Fan Creek, where we camped one last night before heading out. The final day required a nearly 4-hour shuttle before we were once again on the road home. We all enjoyed dinner in Ashton, Idaho at a pizza restaurant that we had also patronized on the drive up. A great way to end our trip. |
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