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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Great documentary loved the sights.

Hello very good👍👍 thank

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

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!

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

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.

Great video.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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

I want to go to your house to go hiking