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A tough run with awesome views, one of Yellowstone's best - hands down!


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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.3

KM

61%

Runnable

10,912' 3,326 m

High

8,117' 2,474 m

Low

2,916' 889 m

Up

121' 37 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

46%

Max Grade (25°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

Snow cover may prevent running to the summit until mid-July. The final 1/2 mile requires some hand over foot scrambling on steep ridges and over loose scree. Plan extra time for this section and use extreme caution. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. You should not be exposed anywhere on the southeast ridge when one hits. Because of these dangers, you should not run this trail alone.

Runner Notes

Be ready for a tough climb with scrambling on steep ridges and over loose scree.

Description

Climbing Electric Peak is a Yellowstone classic! At nearly 11,000 feet, Electric is the monarch of northern Yellowstone. From the peak, hardy runners can see nearly 100 miles in every direction on a clear day - from the Tetons to the south, to the Beartooths in the east, to the Crazys up north, and the Madison Range out west. The views cannot be beat!

The trailhead for the Electric Peak-Southeastern Ridge Trail is 6.2 miles from the Mammoth to Norris Road, and is reached via the Glen Creek Trail. The Electric Peak Trail starts slowly, but ends with a bang. The first 1.2 miles meander through forests and meadows gaining little elevation. Then it breaks out to a dramatic overlook of the Gardiner River. From there, the trail picks up the southeast ridge and closely follows it, ascending nearly 3,000 feet in the next 2.1 miles.

For decades, Electric was thought to be Yellowstone's highest peak. Park maps well into the 1900s showed its elevation as over 11,000 feet. More accurate observations determined the peak to be 10,992 feet above sea level. And further explorations of the rugged Absaroka Range on the park's eastern boundary identified 5 Yellowstone peaks that are higher (however, none are accessible by trail).

At the 2-mile mark, the trail breaks out of the trees for good and the views become grander and grander, and the trail steeper and steeper, each step of the way. At 2.7 miles, notice the change in geology. From here to the top the iron-rich sedimentary rocks take on a decidedly red color. The last .6 miles is a scramble over seemingly endless piles of this rock. Along the way, you cross over the boundary between Wyoming and Montana (most of Yellowstone lies in Wyoming with small portions in Montana and Idaho).This is also the 45th parallel of latitude, halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.

In 1872, members of the second Hayden Survey set out to climb Electric Peak. As they neared the summit the geological party heard a "crackling noise" and felt electricity "so strong that [they] were obliged to . . . hurry down." This is how Electric Peak got its name. As you reach the summit, it's doubtful you'll be shocked, but you'll get a strong sensation from the panoramic view that unfolds. There's a sign in box, so you can place your name among those who have reached the top. Congratulations, you're a member of an elite group!

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Carter

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 4 votes

#7089

Overall
  4.8 from 4 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
25%
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Trail Rankings

#146

in Wyoming

#7,089

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,243 Since Sep 9, 2015
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Photos

Trail to summit in the winter.
May 12, 2016 near Gardiner, MT
The rugged trail snakes up the Southeast Ridge and nears the summit of Electric Peak.
Apr 16, 2016 near Gardiner, MT
Starting up the Southeast Ridge of Electric Peak.
Apr 16, 2016 near Mammoth…, WY
Navigate this steep scramble up a scree field as you approach the summit of Electric Peak.
Feb 28, 2017 near Gardiner, MT
The sign-in box at the top of Electric Peak.
Apr 16, 2016 near Gardiner, MT

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