Near Leg Lake Out and Back
Roaring Fork Lake
Near Leg Lake Out and Back
Sunrise on Leg Lake seen hiking into the cirque.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Leg Lake Out and Back

4.0 (1 Rating)
Quickly get into the alpine on an off-the-beaten-path out and back.
9
mi
Distance
1,810
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Commonly BackpackedFishingGeologically SignificantLakeLakefrontRiver/CreekSwimmingViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
As per USFS rules:1) Make sure to camp 200 ft from trails and water.2) Dogs have to be leashed or under control (i.e. training collar or equivalent) at all times.3) All food and attractants need to be suspended at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from a post or tree or stored inside a bear-resistant container.4) Check current fire restrictions. Fire rings must be dismantled after use.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
8.99mi
Distance
1,810ft
Elevation Gain
1,810ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
10,508ft
High Point
8,854ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
Start at the Stough Creek Lakes Trailhead near the Worthen Meadows Reservoir Campground. There should be plenty of parking, but the parking lot is full there are spots along the side of the road within a 1/4 mile of the trailhead. Find the start of the Stough Creek Lakes Trail #702 (NOT the trailhead adjacent to the bathroom) and walk a consistent uphill grade for 0.5 miles, or until you reach Roaring Fork Lake. Turn left at the lake and go around its south edge. The trail follows Roaring Fork Creek for about 1.5 miles, or until you reach a second meadow seen on your right. Here you'll find a trail junction;take the right path and continue to climb the trail through more trees for another 2.5 miles. Keep your eyes on the trail as it fades in and out between some technical sections of meandering around boulders.Once at the Leg Lake you'll see 1,000 foot walls rising above the lake. Sometimes there are local climbers on the obvious wall that resembles a wave and the walls just to the left of it. You can find good camping on the south east side of the lake, or between the wave-shaped wall and the lake. The camping spots are small, but grassy and flat. There are no trees on this side so you'll need to either bring a bear canister or find a large boulder to hang your food from.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Justin Bowen