| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS |
 |
|
|
|
Yellowstone National Park: Specimen Creek Loop
Trace Specimen Creek to two backcountry lakes and tour remote mountain landscapes on this solitary, 22.5-mile trek in Yellowstone National Park.
Map Tools
Share Trip
- E-mail Trip
- Embed Map
- Social Bookmarks more bookmarks...
Download To
Create A Trip
Related Topics
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Montana (MT) |
| Distance: | 22.5 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Big Horn Peak, Sportsman Lake |
| Rating: | Unrated |
This remote, 22.5-mile lasso loop in Yellowstone National Park's northwest reaches traces Specimen Creek en route to two backcountry lakes. From the Specimen Creek Trailhead, follow the trail northeast 2 miles to a Y-junction. Bear left to start the clockwise loop. As the path winds north up the creek valley, it crosses several streams and passes a couple campsites. After 6 miles, turn right at a 3-way junction and start the climb to Crescent Lake, a small tarn tucked below a majestic cirque. Spend the night here, then continue hiking northeast to a cliff (mile 10.4) that marks the boundary of Yellowstone; views of Gallatin National Forest extend to the north.
From here, bear right along the edge of the cliffs and head southeast to High Lake, a popular wildlife hang-out. After skirting the shores of the lake, follow the East Fork Specimen Creek to the southwest—passing through more forest and meadows. Near mile 16, turn right at the T-junction onto Sportman Lake Trail. Hike west 4.6 more miles to complete the loop. Turn left for the 2-mile stretch back to the trailhead.
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 Firehole Ave. and US 191 in West Yellowstone, MT, head north on US 191. In 26.3 miles, turn right into parking area.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Crescent Lake and High Lake
| Distance: 22.48 mi | Points: 1935 |
Points of Interest
SPC001
Location: 45.012465, -111.080881Specimen Creek Trailhead: Hike northeast on smooth, flat trail. Ahead, the path climbs gently through the Specimen Creek valley, which is sparsely-covered with spruce and fir forest.
SPC002
Location: 45.020268, -111.066165Cross small stream in an open meadow.
SPC003
Location: 45.021688, -111.063784Cross a bridge, then continue northwest through lodgepole forest.
SPC004
Location: 45.025778, -111.053163Pass a recent burn area on the left.
SPC005
Location: 45.028080, -111.047756Veer left @ Y-junction onto North Fork Specimen Creek Trail and start the clockwise loop.
SPC006
Location: 45.028622, -111.045831Pass Campsite WE1 at a picturesque horseshoe bend in Specimen Creek. Old growth lodgepole pine and Douglas firs flank the trail.
SPC007
Location: 45.040661, -111.031876Cross a small stream.
SPC008
Location: 45.051427, -111.026736Hop across the twisting stream before entering a denser fir forest.
SPC009
Location: 45.063751, -111.022276Campsite WE4 is located on the left along the stream.
SPC010
Location: 45.070888, -111.015070Catch a glimpse of the pass through the trees.
SPC011
Location: 45.071297, -111.011089Turn right @ Y-junction and leave the Specimen Creek Trail. Next, the climb to Crescent Lake begins with a series of steep switchbacks.
SPC012
Location: 45.061586, -110.995796Crescent Lake: Tucked at the foot of a cirque, this tarn is fed by snowmelt from the mountains above it. Spend the night here and in the morning tackle a steep ascent northeast. Eventually, the terrain becomes more gradual with some minor descents.
SPC013
Location: 45.072885, -110.973956Cross an open gully with a small pond on the left.
SPC014
Location: 45.071713, -110.966852Climb up to a gentle ridge with views of the Gallatin Range. Electric Peak towers to the left.
SPC015
Location: 45.072445, -110.959210After the descent, turn left at an unmarked junction for a gentle climb.
SPC016
Location: 45.073399, -110.949876Reach the edge of a cliff, which marks the boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Gallatin National Forest extends into the distance. Descend southeast to another bowl along the edge of the park.
SPC017
Location: 45.064746, -110.936616Bear right, heading south to High Lake.
SPC018
Location: 45.057763, -110.937624High Lake: A hot spot for wildlife viewing. Fox, mountain lions, and a myriad of other wildlife visit this remote lake to quench their thirst. Turn right to reach Campsite WD5. Continue south to reach Campsite WD4.
SPC019
Location: 45.057971, -110.940499Campsite WD5: Hang your food on the pole located here. Find nice tent spots up and over the hill; views of the lake and potential wildlife viewing opportunities.
SPC020
Location: 45.055330, -110.937302The trail passes Campsite WD4.
SPC021
Location: 45.054921, -110.936519The trail briefly leaves the park boundaries before curving back in.
SPC022
Location: 45.042990, -110.951014Briefly climb out of the valley.
SPC023
Location: 45.042894, -110.952250Cross 3 small streams on this twisty roller-coaster ride in the trees.
SPC024
Location: 45.041481, -110.956310Cross a medium-sized stream.
SPC025
Location: 45.030211, -110.963321Cross small Specimen Creek Fork.
SPC026
Location: 45.028389, -110.962692In this open meadow, cross the zigzagging streams at the skinny spots.
SPC027
Location: 45.025672, -110.965225At this T-junction, turn right onto Sportman Lake Trail.
SPC028
Location: 45.025581, -110.966150Pass the trail to Campsite WD6 on the right.
SPC029
Location: 45.026399, -110.978898Cross South Fork Specimen Creek on a large log bridge. You'll spot Campsite WD1 before continuing down the valley.
SPC030
Location: 45.024506, -110.994540Leave the trees for open meadows.
SPC031
Location: 45.029375, -111.008275Cross this small stream and enter a burn area with grand views.
SPC032
Location: 45.028572, -111.011489Cross South Fork Specimen Creek.
SPC033
Location: 45.027576, -111.046516Cross a bridge over Specimen Creek. Ahead, turn left at the Y-junction with Specimen Creek Trail (Waypoint 5) for the short trek back to the trailhead.
High Lake
Location: 45.058020, -110.938397© Jeff Chow
High Lake
Location: 45.058055, -110.938584© Jeff Chow
Entering Yellowstone National Park
Location: 45.055671, -110.937050© Jeff Chow
Frozen Creek
Location: 45.042001, -110.953932© Jeff Chow
East Fork Specimen Creek
Location: 45.025355, -110.977016© Jeff Chow
Creek Crossing
Location: 45.025467, -110.978127© Jeff Chow
Burn Area
Location: 45.024585, -110.993242© Jeff Chow
Burned Tree
Location: 45.026439, -111.019525© Jeff Chow
Related Trips
Comments Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta
from Denali to the Smokies.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.
Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction, and more.
GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.
