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Yellowstone National Park: Agate Creek via Specimen Ridge Trail
This 13.3-mile backcountry trek in Yellowstone National Park travels to a rocky beach (and campsites) in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Wyoming (WY) |
| Distance: | 13.34 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Tower Junction, Lamar Canyon, Amethyst Mountain |
| Rating: | Unrated |
A good introduction to Yellowstone's backcountry, this 13.3-mile trip tours expansive grasslands and forests en route to a rocky beach in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Start at the Specimen Ridge Trailhead and hike southeast across sagebrush-filled grasslands--a popular hang out for grazing bison. The path climbs steadily for 1.2 miles to a T-junction. Turn left and begin a steep switchback climb—occasionally following wolf and elk tracks—to Specimen Ridge.
At the top of the ridge, enjoy the expansive views while keeping an eye out for wolves, bison, and herds of elk. Continue hiking southeast over rolling terrain to another junction at Quartz Creek, a distinct v-shaped creek bed. Take the trail to the right, heading southwest toward the canyon—occasional antler cairns mark the way.
The descent into the canyon begins at mile 4.8, dropping more than 1,200 feet in 1.8 miles on long switchbacks (coyote and bear tracks are sometimes etched into the trail). Set up camp above the Yellowstone River near a small, open clearing marked with a campsite sign, then make the final 850-foot stretch to a rocky beach along the river.
PERMIT: Overnight camping in Yellowstone National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm.
MORE PARK INFO: Yellowstone National Park, (307) 344-7381; nps.gov/yell/.
-Mapped by Jeff Chow
TO TRAILHEAD: From Tower Junction, head northeast on NE Entrance Rd./US 212 for 2 miles to trailhead parking.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Agate Creek
| Distance: 13.34 mi | Points: 1284 |
Points of Interest
AGT001
Location: 44.912393, -110.386989Cross NE Entrance Road and hike south on the Specimen Ridge Trail.
AGT002
Location: 44.899877, -110.378710Turn left @ T-junction, heading uphill on Specimen Ridge Trail. The trail to the right leads to Yellowstone River Picnic Area. This vantage point offers views of the Yellowstone River. Ahead, you'll climb and switchback through open plains to a rolling plateau with views of the forested canyon and Prospect Peak behind it.
AGT003
Location: 44.892443, -110.361246Bear right @ Y-junction onto Agate Creek Trail.
AGT004
Location: 44.890008, -110.358002The trail passes glacial erratics (boulders left by retreating glaciers).
AGT005
Location: 44.875015, -110.344841Cross Quartz Creek and turn right. Note: Do not follow the well-traveled game trail that continues straight. Ahead, the trail leaves the creek bed and winds through expansive grassland. Antler cairns (and antlers hung from trees) mark the trail.
AGT006
Location: 44.865451, -110.348439The canyon wall drops down on the right-hand side of the trail.
AGT007
Location: 44.863421, -110.345338Skirt young lodgepole pines. Ahead, the trail will start its switchback descent into the canyon through forest and burnt lodgepole.
AGT008
Location: 44.854077, -110.355089Hike across a small shelf above the Yellowstone River.
AGT009
Location: 44.852142, -110.358353Continue straight @ the 4-way junction to reach the Yellowstone River. The junction is marked with a '2Y1 Campsite' sign. Backpackers: Turn left to access the well-built cooking area with fire ring and food pole. Don't leave any food unattended; bears are common in this area. Camp at the edge of the field near the trees that border the canyon. Rangers advise people to not camp near the river as hikers often cook there, which can attract bears. Filter water in the Yellowstone River or Agate Creek.
AGT010
Location: 44.851815, -110.358793This broad ridge is a good spot to set up camp.
AGT011
Location: 44.850895, -110.360587After a steep descent to the Yellowstone River, relax on the rocky beach next to the water (a good spot to filter water). Crane your neck to see the vast canyon walls flanking the river. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.
Rocky Beach
Location: 44.850878, -110.360563© Jeff Chow
Speciman Ridge Trailhead
Location: 44.911058, -110.386839© Jeff Chow
Grassy Trail
Location: 44.909740, -110.386258© Jeff Chow
Buffalo
Location: 44.903788, -110.380226© Jeff Chow
Buffalo
Location: 44.903570, -110.379720© Jeff Chow
Grazing Buffalo
Location: 44.903674, -110.378461© Jeff Chow
Trail Sign
Location: 44.900458, -110.379774© Jeff Chow
Yellowstone River
Location: 44.899876, -110.378665© Jeff Chow
Yellowstone River
Location: 44.899878, -110.378611© Jeff Chow
Footprint
Location: 44.899896, -110.378373© Jeff Chow
Sunset
Location: 44.899827, -110.378333© Jeff Chow
Golden Meadows
Location: 44.901059, -110.374483© Jeff Chow
Incoming Storm
Location: 44.900215, -110.372897© Jeff Chow
Speciman Ridge Trail
Location: 44.899182, -110.371125© Jeff Chow
Black Skies
Location: 44.892867, -110.362211© Jeff Chow
Expansive Meadows
Location: 44.890485, -110.358710© Jeff Chow
Elk
Location: 44.883324, -110.354058© Jeff Chow
Grassy Hillsides
Location: 44.882570, -110.353365© Jeff Chow
Herd of Elk
Location: 44.881881, -110.352464© Jeff Chow
Antlers
Location: 44.879327, -110.351036© Jeff Chow
Buffalo
Location: 44.878863, -110.350881© Jeff Chow
Buffalo
Location: 44.878699, -110.350650© Jeff Chow
Expansive Views
Location: 44.878053, -110.349924© Jeff Chow
Antler Cairn
Location: 44.877156, -110.348833© Jeff Chow
Buffalo
Location: 44.876473, -110.347947© Jeff Chow
Distant Elk
Location: 44.876133, -110.347499© Jeff Chow
Views of the Yellowstone River
Location: 44.867317, -110.348859© Jeff Chow
Ascent above Quartz Creek
Location: 44.866908, -110.348716© Jeff Chow
Views across the Yellowstone River
Location: 44.864999, -110.348153© Jeff Chow
Sunset
Location: 44.863283, -110.345304© Jeff Chow
Meadow
Location: 44.860664, -110.346063© Jeff Chow
Views of the Yellowstone River
Location: 44.852034, -110.358438© Jeff Chow
Campsite
Location: 44.851847, -110.358707© Jeff Chow
Meadow along the Yellowstone River
Location: 44.850794, -110.360453© Jeff Chow
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