Near Big Sandy Trail
Big Sandy Lake sunset.
Near Big Sandy Trail
Big Sandy Mountain
Near Big Sandy Trail
Big Sandy Trail
Near Big Sandy Trail
Nice teaser views of Big Sandy river before you get the views of the mountains.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Big Sandy Trail

4.1 (8 Ratings)
An easy trail along a beautiful sandy river that passes through meadows and up past Big Sandy Lake.
5.5
mi
Distance
704
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeLakefrontRiver/CreekSwimmingViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.48mi
Distance
704ft
Elevation Gain
85ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
9,740ft
High Point
9,094ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
From the trailhead, start hiking down slightly and then along an almost level path through forests and following the Big Sandy River. Eventually, you'll break out of the forest into a beautiful meadow where the river meanders lazily. Here you'll begin to see the large peaks that make up the area around Big Sandy Lake. You'll continue to weave in and out of forests and meadows near the river until you ascend to the river's ancient terrace, which you'll be on until you reach the southern end of the lake. As you hike by the lake, you'll start to see Haystack Mountain, and as you continue along the shore of the lake you'll drop down until you are almost level with the lake, and then cross a vibrant stream, then you'll reach the north end of the lake. From here, you'll be able to see Temple Peak and East Temple Peak, two fine specimens. It is a pretty level trail with very little elevation gain over the course of it, but it is still enjoyable throughout the entire trail!

Route Conditions

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Nearby Hike Routes

Cirque of the Towers Out and Back

Classic Hike Route

Cirque of the Towers Out and Back

Birding
strenuous
7.9 mi
+2,172 ft
Temple Lake Out and Back

Hike Route

Temple Lake Out and Back

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+1,895 ft
Washakie - Hailey Pass Loop

Hike Route

Washakie - Hailey Pass Loop

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+5,706 ft
Wind River High Route: Section 2

Hike Route

Wind River High Route: Section 2

Lake
extreme
19.19 mi
+5,733 ft
Continental Divide Trail: Cirque of the Towers Alternate (Part 2)

Hike Route

Continental Divide Trail: Cirque of the Towers Alternate (Part 2)

Lake
strenuous
10.17 mi
+2,843 ft
Cirque of the Towers: Two Pass Loop

Hike Route

Cirque of the Towers: Two Pass Loop

Commonly Backpacked
strenuous
23.44 mi
+3,979 ft
Contributors
Tomsen Reed