Artist Point-Point Sublime

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views

Artist Point is one of the most popular destinations in Yellowstone National Park because of its impressive view over Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A great option to escape the crowds of Artist Point is to continue hiking the South Rim Trail toward Sublime Point, which is just over a mile farther. The trail is mostly flat, uncrowded, and it meanders in and out of the lodgepole pine forest on spectacular canyon rim. - Overview by Reed Youngbar, Outdoor Project.

To reach Sublime Point, follow the main trail to Artist Point, but continue straight ahead where the trail to the point veers to the left and descends the stairs. Shortly after, the trail leaves the paved path and becomes a singletrack trail. You'll have company on the first 0.6 miles of this trail. After that, a steep 200-foot climb discourages all but serious runners.

Approximately 0.6 miles beyond Artist Point, the trail to Ribbon Lake is passed. To reach Sublime Point continue straight along the rim trail another 0.7 miles to the trail's end. Here the colors fade and the trees begin to take over the canyon, but the canyon is deeper and stands well over 1,000 feet above the river.

Although it affords no views of the falls, this section of the rim trail is renowned for its sensational display of colors -- deep oranges and reds, pastel pinks and yellows. Hundreds of thousands of years before the canyon was formed, there existed here an ancient thermal basin. Geothermal springs weakened the rock and allowed this canyon to be cut. These springs are also responsible for the beautiful multi-hued rocks. The hot water dissolved subterranean minerals and brought them to the surface and chemically altered rhyolite lava into bright colors.

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.