Gardiner to Cooke City High Route

This 38-mile route traces the original wagon road that supplied the gold camps of Cooke City, climbing from Gardiner’s 5,314-foot elevation through the Absaroka Mountains via Jardine and Bearcat mining districts. The track passes through the ruins of Jardine’s arsenic mine and follows Soda Butte Creek through some of Montana’s densest grizzly habitat, where mining scars from the 1880s still mark the hillsides above the valley floor.

Moderate difficulty with several creek crossings and loose rock sections that demand high-clearance 4WD and bear spray within easy reach. Prime season runs June through October when Beartooth Pass stays open. No permits required, but check with Gallatin National Forest for seasonal closures during wildlife denning periods. Stock up in Gardiner—Cooke City’s one gas station can run dry. The reward is unparalleled Yellowstone backcountry access and authentic mining history few tourists ever see.