Near Blue Lake Trail #118
Granite peak rises above the lake.
Near Blue Lake Trail #118
Disappearing layers of mountains.
Near Blue Lake Trail #118
Conifers reflecting off of the alpine pond.
Near Blue Lake Trail #118
Smoky valley lies below.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Blue Lake Trail #118

5.0 (2 Ratings)
A short, powerful trail to some dramatic alpine lakes.
1.2
mi
Distance
749
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingLakeRiver/CreekViewsWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.23mi
Distance
749ft
Elevation Gain
276ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
8,390ft
High Point
7,732ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Coming off of the Big Timber Creek Trail #119, take a sharp left. As you come down to the creek, ignore the trail heading off to the right and rock hop across. Make your away through mature forest until you start switchbacks through scree. You end up getting channeled into a rift in the rock. The trail curves along and provides expansive views into the valley. Once you reach the top, you first come to a couple of alpine ponds with the remnants of an old cabin. Another short rise leads to the top of the ridge above Blue and Granite Lake.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Glacier Lake and Conical Peak

Hike Route

Glacier Lake and Conical Peak

Lake
extreme
16.85 mi
+5,613 ft
Granite Lake

Hike Route

Granite Lake

Lake
strenuous
8.49 mi
+2,372 ft
Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes

Hike Route

Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes

Birding
moderate
7.83 mi
+2,265 ft
Trespass-Sweetgrass-Cottonwood Loop

Hike Route

Trespass-Sweetgrass-Cottonwood Loop

Birding
strenuous
23.58 mi
+7,362 ft
Swamp Lake

Hike Route

Swamp Lake

Lake
strenuous
5.87 mi
+2,952 ft
Crazy Mountains Loop

Hike Route

Crazy Mountains Loop

Lake
extreme
24.49 mi
+6,502 ft
Contributors
Russell Hobart