Copper Creek Trail

Starting at Road's End, the Copper Creek Trail begins at the trailhead of the same name. It is well graded, but all uphill for about 8 miles and climbs over 5,000 feet. The trail is very exposed (start early in the day!) with few sources of water. It's a butt kicker, especially if you are at the beginning of a trip with a full pack. There's decent camping and a bear box at Lower Tent Meadow (4 miles from the start), and very slanty "campsites" at Upper Tent Meadow, which is difficult to find, with no signage. The Copper Creek Trail ends at the ridge called the Granite Lip, and from there the trail drops into Granite Basin. For those heading out for a longer hike, you can continue on the Simpson Meadow Trail at this point. There is no water at the Lip, so if you need to camp, do a brief 1/2 mile cross country to the outlet of Grouse Lake, north of the trail and east of the ridge. If you are planning to finish this out and back as a day hike, turn around at the Lip, and enjoy the steady downhill back to your starting point. On the way back you can enjoy the many views that you earned on the way up!