Hiking the North Mt. Washburn Trail (Chittenden Road) in Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 5.7 miles / 9.2 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,475 ft. / 450 m
The North Mt. Washburn Trail in Yellowstone National Park is a beautiful panoramic day hike between the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Lamar Valley, where hikers can enjoy stunning 360º views across much of the park, including places as far away as Yellowstone Lake, the Beartooth Mountains, the Teton Range, and so much more!
That said, there are multiple routes that climb to the summit of Mt. Washburn, but this article is specifically about Mt. Washburn via Chittenden Road. The other popular route is the South Mt. Washburn Trail that begins at Dunraven Pass.
If you’re unsure and trying to decide which route you’d prefer to hike, I highly recommend reading my side-by-side comparison below, where I break down the most important differences between the two!
My Print - North Mt. Washburn Trail (Sunset)
Mt. Washburn Trail - Chittenden Road vs. Dunraven Pass
The obvious difference is that the Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road is roughly 0.6 miles (1.0 km) shorter each way but has about 125 ft. (38 m) more of elevation gain.
However, I do not recommend using the distance or elevation gain as the deciding factor between the two, as there are more important differences described below.
First and foremost, the Mt. Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass is the more beautiful side of the mountain, in my opinion. I say this because the south slopes of Mt. Washburn are arguably the best place in Yellowstone National Park to enjoy wildflowers throughout the summer season, and the views from the hike up from Dunraven Pass are simply better and more beautiful than those from Chittenden Road!
However, that’s not to say the Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road is not beautiful. I just don’t believe they are as beautiful. Nevertheless, I prefer the hike up Chittenden Road when I’m hiking the Mt. Washburn Trail for sunset, as the shorter distance makes for a much nicer and easier hike back in the dark—and there is typically more light on Chittenden Road after sunset than on the south side of the mountain.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass
North Mt. Washburn Trailhead Parking
Parking for the North Mt. Washburn Trail is located in a large paved parking lot just off Chittenden Road, about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) off Grand Loop Road.
That said, the parking lot for the Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road is significantly larger than the parking area at Dunraven Pass, which is why the trail from the north can be a great alternative if parking at the South Mt. Washburn Trailhead is full.
Google Maps Directions: Mt. Washburn Trailhead (Chittenden Road)
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.
Hiking the North Mt. Washburn Trail
North Mt. Washburn Trailhead
The Mt. Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road begins on a short 0.2-mile (0.3 km) trail before connecting with the unpaved road shortly after reaching the top of this first hill.
Immediately after leaving the North Mt. Washburn Trailhead, the trail starts climbing.
However, the entire hike to the summit of Mt. Washburn is not a difficult climb, or at least not steep in the way the Avalanche Peak Trail is near the East Entrance.
North Mt. Washburn-Chittenden Road Junction
This is where the North Mt. Washburn Trail meets with Chittenden Road, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from the trailhead.
Once here, go left—or rather, straight—to begin hiking up Chittenden Road toward the summit of Mt. Washburn.
The nice thing about Chittenden Road is that this is about as steep as the hike ever gets!
This is where Chittenden Road crosses above 9,000 ft. (2,743 m).
This very short section through this mixed Lodgepole–Whitebark Pine stand is one of the very few places on the North Mt. Washburn Trail with any notable shade, which is why I highly recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt to stay safe—especially considering the trail’s high elevations, which climb well above 10,000 ft. (3,048 m) near the top!
By this point, there is next to no shade for the rest of the hike to the summit!
As previously mentioned, the North Mt. Washburn Trail pales in comparison to the Mt. Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass in terms of wildflowers!
That’s not to say there aren’t any wildflowers to find, as I have a few shown throughout this article, but Chittenden Road is not even close to how beautiful the southern slopes of Mt. Washburn truly are!
The nice thing about hiking Mt. Washburn via Chittenden Road is that the fire lookout at the summit can be seen from the trailhead and throughout much of the hike, which I personally love because it serves as a great mental indicator on both the way up and down.
This is where Chittenden Road passes through a dead stand of Whitebark Pines that have been killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle, a native pest that plays an important role in the natural cycle of western forests by thinning older or weakened trees and creating habitat for other species.
Now, this may seem contradictory to conservation efforts, as Whitebark Pines are federally listed as a threatened species. However, Mountain Pine Beetles are themselves a natural part of the ecosystem. The greater concern is that warming temperatures have allowed beetle outbreaks to become more severe at the high elevations where Whitebark Pines grow, compounding the effects of the invasive White Pine Blister Rust Disease.
Almost immediately after turning the sharp switchback shown above, the North Mt. Washburn Trail crosses the 2.0-mile (3.2 km) mark, meaning there is only 0.9 miles (1.4 km) left before the summit.
Chittenden Road-Mt. Washburn Generator Access Road
With about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) left before the summit, Chittenden Road splits with a short access road that leads to a propane generator just off the main trail.
There is really nothing of interest to hikers in that direction.
That said, go straight (right) at this split to continue up Chittenden Road toward the summit of Mt. Washburn.
Who is Chittenden Road Named After?
The name Chittenden comes from Hiram Martin Chittenden, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer who played a major role in designing and building Yellowstone’s early road system.
In fact, the National Park Service identifies the road up Mount Washburn as one of Chittenden’s "signature achievements" and credits his work on Yellowstone’s roads, bridges, and other structures with having a lasting influence on the park today.
This is where Chittenden Road crosses above 10,000 ft. (3,048 m).
Chittenden Road-South Mt. Washburn-Spur Junction
With about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to go before Chittenden Road reaches the summit of Mt. Washburn, the trail from the north meets the South Mt. Washburn Trail from Dunraven Pass.
This is where the two routes become one for the rest of the hike to the summit.
Once here, go right at this junction to turn the hard switchback and continue up Chittenden Road to the summit of Mt. Washburn.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass
The uppermost elevations of Chittenden Road wrap around the far side of the fire lookout before reaching the summit of Mt. Washburn.
Mt. Washburn
This is the summit of Mt. Washburn and the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout at the top of Chittenden Road, which, according to the National Park Service, stands at approximately 10,219 ft. (3,115 m).
Mount Washburn Fire Lookout
A little-known secret at the summit of Mt. Washburn is that the lower level of the fire lookout is open to the public!
Once inside, hikers can learn about the history of Mt. Washburn as an early fire lookout in Yellowstone National Park, as well as use the interpretive maps to pick out landmarks across much of the surrounding landscape.
Furthermore, the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout can be a great place to get out of the cold and typically windy weather, which can get quite chilly around sunset, even during the mid-summer months!
Old Faithful (Upper–Lower Geyser Basins)
Canyon Village
Maddison–Norris
Yellowstone Lake & East Entrance
Mammoth, Lamar Valley & Tower
