Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From 7250ft, the well-trodden single-track dirt trail begins just beyond a barricade on
the left (north) side of unpaved
Bunsen Peak Rd
. The trail climbs immediately through
sagebrush interspersed with wildflowers, then enters a young Douglas fir and lodgepole
pine mosaic. You'll get early views of the Golden Gate below and to the left, and the ash-
colored jumble of the hoodoos to the north. About half an hour from the trailhead a series
of meadows offer views southwest to Swan Lake Flat, Antler Peak (10,023ft), Mt Holmes
(10,336ft), Terraced Mountain and Electric Peak (10,992ft). Five minutes later, at one of
the many switchbacks, you'll gain a great view of the eroded sandstone cliffs and spire of
Cathedral Rock, with views down to the red roofs and bleached travertine mounds of
Mammoth. The layered sandstone-and-shale mountain of Mt Everts (7841ft), to the north,
offers proof that the area was underwater 70 to 140 million years ago. Beyond the Cathed-
ral Rock outcrop, the switchbacks get steeper on the north side of the mountain and the
exposed dome-shaped peak comes into view. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep.
The trail passes under electricity wires before radio communications equipment marks
the first of three small summits, 2.1 miles from the trailhead (there are plans to remove the
towers). Continue east along the loose talus ridge to the exposed easternmost summit for
the best southern panoramas. Electric Peak (10,992ft), one of the largest in the Gallatin
Range, looms largest to the northwest, marking the park's northern boundary, with the Ab-
saroka Range to the northeast.
Either retrace your steps down the west slope or wind around the peak to descend the
east slope to the Osprey Falls Trail.
SIDE TRIP: OSPREY FALLS & SHEEPEATER CANYON
3-4 HOURS, 6 MILES, 800FT ASCENT
From the south side of the third summit, the trail descends east through the burnt forest
and volcanic talus of Bunsen Peak's eastern flank. It's 1.9 miles (one hour) downhill to the
Bunsen Peak Rd. After about 45 minutes, just after you catch sight of the Bunsen Peak
Rd, look for the orange marker that points you left along a subtrail to the
Osprey Falls
Trailhead
.
From the marked trailhead, the 1.4-mile Osprey Falls trail wanders along the cliffs for
10 minutes before dropping like a stone into the
Sheepeater Canyon
, losing 800ft in a
bit less than a mile via a series of narrow, rocky switchbacks. Finally the trail levels out by
the Gardner River to reach the base of the impressive, little-seen 150ft
Osprey Falls
, set
below an impressive basalt cliff and spire. You're more likely to see marmots or water
ouzels in the canyon than the namesake bighorn sheep or osprey, which now prefer to nest
along the Yellowstone River. The falls are a refreshing spot to linger over a packed lunch
and contemplate the relentless chaos and synergy of the park's natural forces.
