Sportsman Lake Trail

Sportsman Lake Trail is a strenuous, roughly 24-mile one-way crossing of Yellowstone’s Gallatin Range. It starts at Glen Creek Trailhead south of Mammoth, climbs over a pass through forest and meadows, passes Sportsman Lake, then follows 2.1 miles of Specimen Creek Trail to Highway 191. This is a remote point-to-point route, not a loop. Plan a pickup at the highway end; most hikers will want to split the crossing with an overnight, which requires a backcountry permit.

From Glen Creek, the mapped approach follows the Howard Eaton and Fawn Pass trail corridors to the Sportsman Lake route. The long cross-range section reaches the lake before continuing northwest to Specimen Creek. Yellowstone describes forest, meadows and a pass, but does not publish mile-by-mile footing or a typical time. Treat it as a backcountry traverse and carry navigation suited to the full route.

Sportsman Lake is the route’s natural pause: the water reflects a forested ridge, and Electric Peak catches the last light. Elk, bighorn sheep and grizzlies may be seen; grizzlies frequent this area. If you stop for a photo, include the water and the ridge rather than cropping tightly to the summit.

The route crosses the Gallatin Bear Management Area. Yellowstone advises groups of four or more and prohibits off-trail travel there from May 1 through November 10. Pets are not allowed on Yellowstone hiking trails or in the backcountry; trained service animals are allowed. The route ends on Highway 191 after its Specimen Creek segment, so arrange the exit ride before starting. Allow about 14–15 hours if you attempt it in one push; an overnight is more realistic for most hikers.