Bowback Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Backpacking
Distance: ~10.1 miles from trailhead / ~1.9 miles from Shadow Lake
Elevation: 10,594 feet
Coordinates: 45.12218, -109.59998
Time: ~2.5 hours from Shadow Lake
Access: Unmaintained off-trail navigation. Departs from Shadow Lake basecamp.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)

Getting there

The journey begins at the West Fork Rock Creek Trailhead. Drive past the campgrounds along the gravel access road to reach the primary parking and staging area.

The hike

If you are traveling straight from the vehicle turnaround, the route to Bowback Lake spans roughly 10.1 miles one way and involves almost 3,360 vertical feet of elevation gain. For backpackers tracking from your multi-day basecamp at Shadow Lake, this destination sits about 1.9 miles past camp. If tracking sequentially along your upper basin route, Bowback Lake is located just a short distance past your last stop at Ship Lake.

The approach involves navigating the unmaintained high country beyond the main trail. Once you clear the ridge past Ship Lake, the cross-country walking to Bowback Lake stays relatively easy as you navigate the open, rocky terrain of the upper alpine bench.

Tips & safety

• High Country Navigation: Like the other upper lakes in this basin cluster, there are no maintained footpaths. Keep your map handy and use basic directional instincts to find the shoreline.

• Weather: High-altitude mountain weather can turn fast here. Come fully prepared for sustained winds or sudden storms.

• Fishing: FWP and GNIS data listed for Yellowstone Cutthroat.