Mount Washburn via Chittenden Road: A Scenic Unpaved Journey in the Heart of Yellowstone
Mount Washburn is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.122m (10,243ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Visitors can not drive to the summit although biking is allowed.
Why is it called Mount Washburn?
The peak is named after Henry Washburn, the Surveyor-General of the Montana Territory and leader of the 1870 Washburn Expedition.
Can you drive to the top of Mt Washburn?
Located in Yellowstone National Park, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Chittendon Road. This route, an old wagon road, approaches the summit on an easy grade, but hits a 15% grade. The unpaved Chittendon Road is easy to drive and certainly has room for cars going the other direction. This is an 8 foot wide formally paved road that weaves its way up to a fire tower at the peak of Mt. Washburn. The grade is relatively gradual and not too strenuous.
How long is the road to the top of Mt Washburn?
Starting from the scenic Grand Loop Road, the drive is 6.59km (4.1 miles) long. The Chittenden road to Mount Washburn becomes a service road (a two-way dirt road) beyond the Chittenden Parking lot. Visitors can drive 1.3 miles to the parking lot, ending at 2.665m (8,743ft) above sea level. It is a big parking area where the road stops, at which point you can continue the journey to the peak of Mt. Washburn by walking or riding a bike. From there, it is a 2.8 mile road to the summit.
Is the road to Mt Washburn open all year round?
Set high in the Washburn Range, the road is generally accessible from late May to mid-October. A lookout tower, built in 1941, is staffed from mid-June until the end of the fire season. The gravel road leading to the lookout, also a telecommunications site, may see service vehicles. Yellowstone's weather can change rapidly, with afternoon storms bringing high winds, heavy rain, and lightning. Grizzly and black bear sightings are common, and the area often experiences gusty conditions. Do not approach or feed any animals: bison and elk have injured people. Stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other animals.
Is the road to Mt Washburn worth it?
The road offers stunning views and at the summit it’s possible to see Yellowstone National Park's northern expanse and, on clear days, the distant Teton Range. This peak recorded its inaugural ascent on August 28, 1870, though it's believed to have been conquered even before that.
Road suggested by: Bret De Young
Pic: Michael Berg