Eagle Peak (Wyoming)

Did You Know?

• Up until the 1930s, most park officials and geologists believed Electric Peak near Gardiner, Montana was the park's highest peak, not Eagle Peak.
• During the historic Yellowstone fires of 1988, the south slopes of Eagle Peak were affected by the Mink Fire.
• Eagle Peak is a remnant of an Absaroka stratovolcano.

Geography

Eagle Peak lies on the park boundary with Shoshone National Forest in northwestern Wyoming. It is part of a ridge that gradually rises southeastward; Mount Schurz to the northwest is shorter, while Pinnacle Mountain to the southeast is taller but outside the park. Several creeks carry cold meltwater from the mountain, including the Gardner River east of the summit. Two major snowfields on the north face feed some of the runoff. The eastern slopes drain into the Yellowstone River via the Bighorn River, while southern slopes drain into Yellowstone Lake via Mountain Creek. Eagle Peak is a prominent feature of the Eagle Peak Quadrangle, a USGS surveying division. Nearby peaks include Mount Humphreys, Table Mountain, Turret Mountain, and Colter Peak.

Wildlife

Wildlife on Eagle Peak occupies the alpine tundra zone and may be threatened by global climate change, as the upward shift of montane species could cause permanent loss of some from the park. To the south, Eagle Pass and the Thorofare Plateau host elk, moose, deer, bear, bighorn sheep, and others, lying along an important north–south elk migration route. Alpine meadows contain sedges, rushes, and tufted hairgrass.