Aquarius Lake

Drainage: Clarks Fork (MT)
Approaches: Clarks Fork Trail #3 — 6 mi (3.25 on trail, 2.75 off-trail); 1,684 ft up / 538 ft down · From Little Molar Lake — ~0.5 mi cross-country
Elevation: 9,187 feet
Fish: Yellowstone cutthroat (FWP)
Coordinates: 45.05729, -109.81077
Bugs: Minimal on our visit

Getting there

From the Clarks Fork Trailhead it's about 6 miles on Clarks Fork Trail #3, with the last 2.75 off trail.

We came the long way. Aquarius was our Day 3 camp on a thru-hike that started at the Lady of the Lake Trailhead, roughly 13.6 miles out and about 10.6 miles from our earlier basecamp at Splinter Lake. A thru-hike takes two vehicles: we left one at the Clarks Fork end of the Beaten Path, drove to the Lady of the Lake Trailhead in the other, and started walking. Set the shuttle rig before you leave, not after.

The hike

Day 3 was the move — breaking basecamp at Splinter and working roughly 10.6 miles across to Aquarius, dropping close to 300 feet over the course of it. Coming in from Little Molar the route trends downhill about half a mile through open timbered meadows and puts you out on the shoreline. Aquarius is a good-sized basin at 23.7 acres, and it opens up fast once you clear the timber.

Tips & safety

• Camping: Flat ground and room to spread out. We staged here for the final day's walk out.

• Fishing: FWP lists Yellowstone cutthroat.

• Route: No trail on the approach from Little Molar — you're navigating.

• Thru-hike logistics: This is point-to-point, not a loop. Your ride has to already be parked at the exit trailhead.