WE6 via Specimen Creek
7.4 mi
Distance
3 hrs 58 min
Time
terrain
1,696 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to Crescent Lake in Yellowstone National Park.
This trail goes by Specimen Creek Jct and Crescent Lake.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Backpacking group of 3 – July 25-29, 2024. Specimen Creek Tr > Sportsman Lake Tr > Crescent/High Lake Tr >High Lake (1 night) > Shooting Star Mtn > Crescent Lake > Specimen Creek Tr > Shelf Lake (2 nights) > Sky Rim Tr to Bighorn Pk - King Butte - Sheep Mtn > Specimen Creek Tr > Crescent Lake Tr > Crescent Lake (1 night) > Specimen Creek Tr out.
Beautiful part of Yellowstone that has it all and is “off the beaten path.” Stretches of dense forest with verdant wildflower blooms and several high grass meadows with creeks winding through them. Very picturesque lakes with clean camps. Panoramic, long ranging views off the Sky Rim Trail and plenty of crags on the buttes to climb. Frequent orange painted trail markers along the way, especially in the areas where the trails are harder to discern, along with a few rock cairns on Sky Rim. Traded the snow for late afternoon thunderstorms that passed through at opportune times (after camp setup and at the end of day hikes). Pleasant day time temps and not too cold at night with a little smoke hazing on Sky Rim from the Clearwater Fire burning NE of Yellowstone.. Not very muddy on any of the trails and only the one knee deep water crossing that others have mentioned near the Sportsman/Specimen trails junction ( nice & cold, slower moving water). The upper half of the Specimen Creek Trail going to Sky Rim and/or Shelf Lake will definitely make you work, but the rest of the trails ares moderate with a 45-50 lb pack. Ran across a few fellow backpackers and day hikers on day 1 and then day 5. Our group was the only one camped at each of the 3 lakes which was totally unexpected for July. Despite the mosquitos being out in force, it was nice to swim in the lakes which were much warmer than expected. We met a large, white mountain goat guarding the Shooting Star summit, before running in to a band of 20-30 goats on the Sky Rim Trail later in the trip. Surprised that we didn’t see any bears, black or grizzly, given the evidence that they were around and that this area is on the border of the Gallatin Bear Management area. We used bear canisters for food storage and hung trash/toiletries in dry bags on the bear poles. Was nice to have a fire permit for Crescent Lake, days before the fire restrictions took effect, and thanks to USFS for the cut and stacked firewood cache! First time backpacking in YNP for the other 2 party members and a great time for all of us. Logged 44.2 backpacking miles and 8713 vert ft for the trip with Gaia
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