Signal Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Signal Peak seen from the North Fork Highway.

Signal Peak's rocky southern spire catches the eye as you drive along the North Fork Highway. However the spire is made up of the crumbly volcanic rock typical of this area and can't be safely climbed. The true summit of Signal Peak is actually about 3 miles north of the highway and can be reached on a pack trail in summer conditions. The hike is roughly six miles round trip, with about 2300 feet of elevation gain. The trail is not marked and can difficult to follow when it's under snow.

Getting There

Trail Cafe (turn right at this sign)

From Cody, take the North Fork Highway (14-60-20) toward Yellowstone National Park. After driving into Wapiti, watch for the Trail Cafe sign on the right.

Turn at the sign and follow the road across a small bridge, then immediately turn left. Follow this rough road as far as it goes, to a small parking area by the river. 4WD shouldn't be needed in summer but in the winter it may be drifted and there is a steep section.

You'll cross over the trail just before reaching the parking area and will have to hike back up the road a short way. It's not marked so keep an eye out for it.

South side seen from nearby Flag Peak

The Hike

Follow the good obvious pack trail along the river until it eventually switchbacks up the hill and cuts through the cliffs. A fishing trail continues along the river and it would be easy to keep hiking along that trail by mistake.

The pack trail goes close to the summit but you will have to break off at the end and hike the obvious summit ridge to the top. In summer, it will be no problem to follow the trail to that point.

Following the river.

WINTER
In winter, following the pack trail is difficult to impossible. You should be able to follow it along the river until it cuts through the cliffs and winds up into forest. At that point, even with a GPS, you'll have a hard time guessing where it is. The trail tends to stay low in the trees, where the snow is deepest. In winter, you may prefer to stay high on the more wind-scoured ridges. This will cost you some additional elevation gain and loss but may be better than struggling with deep soft snow. Your call. Either way, it's a good bet to bring snowshoes.

Views

The views from Signal Peak are magnificent. Ptarmigan is most prominent to the south and great views of Jim Mountain can be had all the way to the top.