93. Tyee Peak, 6000' (S)

Tyee Peak is accessible from the Northern Loop Trail. The washout of Carbon River Road in 2006 has added 5.5 miles (one-way) to this trip. This road portion is best done by bike in order to make Tyee attainable as a day trip. The peak’s name is from the Chinook word for “chief.”

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Driving

Drive to the Carbon River Entrance and park in the small parking area by the old ranger station. The road is closed here owing to massive flooding and washouts in 2006.

Route

Bike approximately 5.5 miles (one-way with 600’ of gain) on the washed-out road (you will have to walk your bike at times) until you reach the Carbon River trailhead near Ipsut Creek Camp-ground (closed because of the flooding in 2006). The one-way bike trip to the trailhead takes about 60 minutes. From the trailhead (elevation 2330'), hike 1.7 miles to the trail leading to the lower crossing over the Carbon River. Cross the Carbon River and head up the Northern Loop Trail, passing the spur to Yellowstone Cliffs Camp. Continue until you reach flat terrain at 5775'; leave the trail here. (If you reach Windy Gap, you have gone 300 yards too far.) You will see a footpath heading north. Follow this footpath over the saddle and descend approximately 200' on the north side of the ridge east of Tyee Peak and continue on a path heading west. The route takes you beyond Tyee but then loops back so that you reach the peak from the west, and even a tad north, near the Tyee summit. The actual summit of Tyee (which appears as a rocky knob from the Northern Loop Trail, is actually lower than the high point on the east ridge leading to Tyee.

Comments

Helmets are recommended on the summit block. A very nice side trip (assuming you have biked the Carbon River Road portion) is to head toward Windy Gap and follow the trail to the Natural Bridge. The Natural Bridge is a unique and seldom-visited place in the park. This extra attraction adds 2 miles round-trip and 300' of elevation. Tyee can also be combined with Crescent, though this would make for a very long day.

Vital Statistics: Tyee Peak

• Skill: Moderate scramble

• Beauty: 5

• Effort: 7 (assuming you bike the washed-out road)

• Round-trip distance: 12.6 miles, plus 11 miles on washed-out road

• Elevation gain: 4100'

• Total time: 10 hours (with bikes)

• Best season: July through September, or first snow

• Equipment: Scramble gear, helmet