Specimen Ridge Day Hike and Fossil Forrest Trail
Buffalo Ford, Wyoming
| Address: | Specimen Ridge Day Hike / Fossil Forest Trailhead, Wyoming 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°54'42.2"N 110°19'40.4"W Maps |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 4.0 mi |
Hike
Specimen Ridge Day Hike is a strenuous almost 4 mile trail to Specimen Ridge. This trail is rugged with a high elevation, and is not recommended for hikers with respiratory or heart problems.
The hike begins at a pullout on North East Entrance Road. From the pullout hikers will take a old service road through a dryer, flatter section of the valley, before reaching the forested area and heading up to Specimen Ridge. The path is not well marked, but it is the most obvious path and fairly easy to follow, and the view from the ridge is easily worth the strenuous hike.
Hikers in this area can also enjoy hiking Fossil Forrest Trail. Fossil Forrest Trail is a separate trail on Specimen Ridge that takes hikers to an outcropping with fossilized trees. From Specimen Ridge hikers can look down and locate the outcropping in the 2 o'clock position.
Hikers should be careful not to leave trail for crossing wildlife trails, and should descend the way they came. Hikers should keep a safe distance from all wildlife and keep bear spray with them and readily accessible.
More Information
Specimen Ridge Day Hike / Fossil Forest Trailhead (U.S. National Park Service)
This trailhead only has access to the there-and-back Specimen Ridge Day Hike / Fossil Forest Trail. If you are looking for the Specimen Ridge Trail, that trailhead is about four miles west along the main road. There is limited parking at the trailhead.
https://www.nps.gov/places/000/specimen-ridge-day-hike-fossil-forest-trailhead.htmSpecimen Ridge Day Hike Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
Day hike in Yellowstone National Park
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-trail-specimen-ridge-day-hike.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
Do not follow Google Directions.
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