Hiking Mt. Washburn via Chittenden Road in Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft. / 457 m
The Mt. Washburn Trail is one of the best effort-to-reward hikes in all of Yellowstone National Park!
By this, I mean that the hike up Chittenden Road is fairly moderate for how difficult a peak above 10,000 ft. (3,048 m) could be. In addition, Mt. Washburn is one of my personal favorites because the summit has some of the best unobstructed 360º views across much of the park!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Which Mt. Washburn Trail is Better?
If you’re trying to decide between both routes to the top of Mt. Washburn, know that the Mt. Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass is much more like you’d expect a typical trail to be, and Chittenden Rd. is more of a service road than a trail.
However, Chittenden Road is, by far, the easier route at roughly 1.2 miles (1.9 km) shorter and roughly the same elevation gain.
My Print - Mt. Washburn Sunset
Mt. Washburn Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road is located about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) off the east side of the Grand Loop Road.
The parking lot is paved and very large, so there should never be any trouble finding a spot, especially if you are doing a sunrise or sunset hike.
Google Maps Directions: Mt. Washburn Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone-Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone-Teton area.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking Mt. Washburn via Chittenden Road
The Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road begins on an true trail until it reaches Chittenden Road about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) into the hike.
Furthermore, most of the hike has very little shade, which is why I recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt, as there is only one small stretch of trees along Chittenden Road to find shade.
While it may look faint in these photos, the Mt. Washburn Summit will become visible from here on, which is the mountain with the faint structure on the peak in the distance.
Chittenden Road
This is where the Mt. Washburn Trail meets with Chittenden Road, only 0.2 miles (0.3 km) into the hike.
This 0.2-mile (0.3 km) stretch of forest is the only part of the trail that Chittenden Road passes through some shade on the way to the summit.
When you get to this split in the photo below, stay to the right to continue to the summit of Mt. Washburn.
There was still some snow up here when I hiked Mt. Washburn in the middle of July.
Mt. Washburn
According to the National Park Service, the summit of Mt. Washburn stands at roughly 10,219 ft. (3,115 m).
When I did this hike in the middle of July, the summit was very windy and cold, so pack layers if you’re planning on spending any time up there, which can be especially true for sunrise and sunset.
All of these photos are from sunset, and I was only one of two groups that stayed on the peak to enjoy it!
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
How Bad are the Mosquitoes?
If this is your first trip to Wyoming, you’re likely unfamiliar with how bad the mosquitoes will be. Locals don’t joke when they call the mosquito the Wyoming state bird, which is why I recommend grabbing this cheap bug net before going. You never know where and when you may want it because even midday in the most unsuspecting places, the mosquitoes can be out in clouds!
More Yellowstone Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Yellowstone National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
From personal experience, I’ve seen that the Yellowstone-Teton area has one of the highest Grizzly Bear densities in the country. Even on the popular trails, you need to be hiking with bear spray and know how to react in the event of a Black or Grizzly Bear encounter.
Aside from wildlife, Wyoming, like any Mountain West state, is known for its violent afternoon thunderstorms, which are more typical in the warmer summer months than other times of the year.
That said, it’s important to check the local forecast before setting off on any adventure, as lightning strikes are not uncommon in and near mountain ranges across the West. I have personally been knocked to the ground by a strike that hit near me in the past, and I confidently say that it’s an experience you don’t want to live through. This is why I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast for any high-elevation adventures you may be interested in—especially when climbing a summit.
Finally, know that when micro-spikes are necessary for an early-season adventure, micro-spikes are never supposed to be a substitute for conditions that require crampons.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park websites.
National Park Service: Grand Teton National Park / Yellowstone National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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