Sky Rim Trail: Off the Beaten Path in Yellowstone National Park (Backpacking the Toughest Trail)

The Sky Rim Trail in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park is one of the most difficult but rewarding hikes you can find in the park. Even hiking in the high season, over a 4-day solo trip in the backcountry I only encountered a few people and actually saw more bighorn sheep that humans! On day three, I was challenged by the actual Sky Rim, leading to one of the most strenuous days of my backpacking life! Over 5000 feet of elevation gain (and loss) in one day, hiking while exposed to 90+degree July sun caused me to get a little negative by the end of the day. Sorry for the attitude, but I decided to keep it real and leave that in the video as it's all part of the true backpacking experience.
Peak Refuel Teriaki Chicken and Rice: amzn.to/3XD50LF
Music courtesy KZbin free music library

[@patrickmaddy4611]

I day hiked Bighorn peak about five years ago, it was a tough hike for my wife and I and we were proud of ourselves when we reached the summit. When we came back down and got to the junction where it meets the Skyrim, there was a young couple that jogged by in shorts and tank tops with nothing else but a couple of bottles of water on their fanny pack. They were jogging the whole Skyrim in a day! Talk about humbling... Turns out they were both pro ultra-runners out of Bozeman.

[@ShastaBubba]

Yeah, it's easy to be humbled out there. I move at the speed of a tortoise, so in an effort to preserve my self respect, I pretend it's wisdom to hike slowly. ;-)

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Gallatins. Huge peaks from Electric South. The entire area on the east side is great to wander.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks!

[@joeygreen3734]

Thanks for sharing! Love your videos. I discovered backpacking when I was 43. I'm now 46. I really enjoy seeing folks my age crushing it. I never want to stop backpacking because of my age.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! The actual truth is I'm just turning 61, so you can certainly look forward to having many years to great backpacking ahead. I plan to keep going until I drop! ;-)

[@Anlu.dailylife]

Hello very good👍👍 thank

[@ShastaBubba]

Thank you too!

[@999montanaguy]

Most people don’t go in the back country. They just drive through.

[@ShastaBubba]

Sadly true. Bright side though, less folks on the trail!

[@StanMills]

Great video.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much!

[@ervinslens]

Wow, gorgeous place. Love the atmosphere and editing in this one. Nicely done!l, narrated part is brilliant too 🔥🔥

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks a ton! Really appreciate the kind words. 🙏

[@oldunion]

Something squirrely going on with the permits. Might be worth following up with a ranger next time.

[@ShastaBubba]

Right? I couldn't make sense of it. People often cancel late or no show, but not everyone!

[@gundy99223]

Great documentary loved the sights.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much!

[@sluggotinfantryman]

For days of hiking go to the Beartooth. Just go up the fire tower road take your pick, bowl, and bear maul woods or north to high country. You can also start at the switchbacks at top of Beartooth Hwy and walk the lakes or the ridge out to Spirit Mountain. Just cross the highway to the west. The only multi-day hikes for me in Yellowstone are along Canyon North Side/Washburn side. And Bannock Electric Quadrant area from Bunsen Peak Parking. I am all about the Beartooth, you can take your dogs. Barrontte Peak was my favorite out of 100s summited in the west. July. The beauty of Yellowstone is you can wander around. The horsefly deal is why you always take lightweight clothes that cover your entire body. I kill the horse flys with a large long water bottle. Empty. Smack em, killed over 230 going up Electric peak once. They are the big ones that can bite threw your t-shirt. in Yellowstone do multiple day hikes, Blacktail Deer Creek to Gardiner is one example 13 miles, Or Bunsen then down to Osprey falls, the entire north rim of falls lower upper and crystal. If Washburn go up walk out the ridge 1 mile. If at Inspiration Point on the north canyon, forget artists stay on the north side, walk down river along the rim 2 miles or more and back. Or do summits-Electric/Thunderer/Avalanche/Bannock one per day. That is tough though. These long treks especially the ones not along rivers are not for me. I stick to an area if doing overnight. And if doing one a day you do not need to bother with a permit for camping. You have 14 hours of daylight in the summer.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Too many trails and too little time, right? I have actually been to the Lake Plateau and loved it; definitely intend to go explore further.

[@jacobrclark58]

Great video Dan! You're a huge asset to the backpacking community!

[@beartoothcolt4924]

That was a great video, I live close to the park but have never hiked it. I laughed hard when you said satin designed this trail!

[@ShastaBubba]

LOL, Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@sarsaparila]

I love your videos, you have the most peaceful upbeat tone to your voice, like listening to backpacking Bob Ross

[@ShastaBubba]

Really appreciate the complement! This is one I'll treasure. Thanks!

[@VandrefalkTV]

Beauuuuuutiful trip, Dan. Thank you so much for sharing:) atb from Norway

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks very much my friend! Cheers to you as well. ;-)

[@StevenErat]

I really enjoyed the quality of your video production in this episode. I hiked a section of the Sky Rim Trail 30 years ago this summer, and in July am returning but with kids this time. I approached Big Horn from the north, starting at Tom Miner Campground, and the steepness of the hill leading up to Big Horn is seared in my memory. As I recall the knife’s edge between the hill and Big Horn Peak was the 2nd section of trail locked in my memory. Watching your journey there made me realize that my kids would not quite be ready to handle that hill yet, but one day. Thanks, and I look forward to checking out your other videos.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! Yeah, you probably want to have many positive hiking experiences before taking your kids on this trail! ;-) Still, I think it would be more tolerable with advanced knowledge of what to expect. Happy trails!

[@melissabruner1224]

I definitely want to do this trail, but it does look difficult.

[@ShastaBubba]

Helps to not be a cranky old man on a hot day! You can definitely do this; just make sure to spend the night at Shelf Lake before the big day on the ridge. That alone would cut out almost 1400 feet of elevation gain. Good luck!

[@richarddouglas3094]

Hi Dan - do you use bug dope (Deet) on your hikes? With the way the flies and mosquitoes bothered you on this hike I got the impression perhaps you forego the repellent? Thank you for sharing this video and your hike

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! I do use deet, but as sparingly as possible. When practical, I prefer to just put on long sleeves/pants instead. In this case, deet wouldn't have helped because it has no effect on those little flies.

[@Stride1736]

Great vid! Always glad to see a new vid from you

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad to hear it! Thanks so much!

[@drivehikerepeat]

Thanks for this! We're getting ready to start tackling the backcountry miles of Yellowstone and I appreciated this look at and reality check for the northwestern area of the park.

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad it was helpful! Happy trails and thanks for the comment!

[@bryanlogan852]

Great video! Love how you included the set-ups of your camp! Thanks for sharing!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for watching!

[@nealprice1813]

Great video Dan, you are very fortunate to visit such beautiful places. Please keep sharing your journeys.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for the words of encouragement!! 🙏

[@796monster]

Enjoyed watching this, thanks. Just wondering , being out in such remote wilderness , alone, is there a concern for encountering a bear ?

[@ShastaBubba]

Not really. Bear encounters are rare (I carry bear spray and carefully hang food), and the few I've experienced ended simply with the bear either ignoring me or running away quickly. Thanks for watching!

[@GatorReeves]

Love YNP! What was your tent? I didnt see a recent full gear loadout video.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! On this trip, I used my old favorite, the Locus Gear Khufu. Here's a link to the long-term review I did a while ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYvWg4KKf910eZI

[@mountainwanderer]

Looked like a good trip overall, but every time I could hear a fly buzzing past the camera it would make me cringe... so I can imagine what it was like for you! Also.. 5k gain in a day... not sure I have it in me! Great video!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks man, really appreciate it! Yeah, that was sure one long day. Normally, I would avoid a hike that required so much elevation gain in one day, but the guidebook didn't spell that out, so there I went! Probably should have studied the maps a bit more before hand. ;-)

[@pilowespo]

Great video! National Parks are amazing, but they always sound like too much of a hassle with pements. That's why I have stayed away and kept to Wilderness and National Forest. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Looked like a rough ridge hike. It's easy to get over ambitious when you look at maps and Google Earth. It looks so easy till you're out there. I have done it before, especially on ridgeline trails. There is so much up and down, and you're exposed to the sun and wind. Have you tried a full brim hat? It works for me. I keep it wet as much as possible. I enjoy your videos. Hike on!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! Definitely considering a big hat after this trip 🤔 😎

[@DrJohn493]

Yes, yes it is an embarrassment of outdoor riches😉😉, but that heat! Tell the truth, was there a moment or two when you found yourself asking "what have I gotten myself into?" I wonder if the sheep ever get cliffed out when they're enjoying the high country? Thanks for all the gorgeous Yellowstone scenery that's not on the beaten path.

[@ShastaBubba]

By the time I was thinking those thoughts it was long past halfway and the only choice was to keep going forward, but yeah, I was sure cussing out the trail surveyor! Thanks for watching!!!

[@DrJohn493]

@@ShastaBubba 🤣🤣Bet you did have a few choice words

[@tweedytreks]

Way to get after it. When did you do this hike specifically? I was supposed to hit some of this trail last year but some treacherous labor day weekend weather stomped in.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! It was the last week of July, 2022 actually. Happy hiking!

[@tweedytreks]

@@ShastaBubba yep. Kinda figured as much. I just posted a video from that same weekend, but 2023 in the Sawtooths - insanely beautiful area if you’ve never been. Check it out!

[@Andrew-on5do]

Any idea what the weather would be like here end of October? I know that’s a loaded question.

[@ShastaBubba]

Yeah, guessing weather that far out is usually not likely to be accurate at all; however, since the high point is just barely short of 10K feet, almost guarenteed to be under snow that late in the year.

[@Andrew-on5do]

@@ShastaBubba end of September sorry. Yeah I’m not from the area but I know with the elevation locals would know it’s covered in snow a little earlier than other spots. I plan on running a 18-20 mile loop while I’m staying in Yellowstone

[@ShastaBubba]

@@Andrew-on5do September is certainly a higher chance of success, but it's worth noting that this trip is right next to the town of West Yellowstone, which routinely ranks as the coldest spot in the state and often in the nation! Much better odds if you headed more south, like around Heart Lake, or even the Lamar Valley. Happy hiking/running!

[@daxstrickland3848]

I want to go to your house to go hiking

[@ShastaBubba]

You got it buddy!

[@daxstrickland3848]

@@ShastaBubba ok