Bridge Lake

Drainage: Boulder
Approaches: Bridge Creek Trail #25 — about 10 mi one way, 9.5 on trail with the last 0.5 mi off-trail; 3,500 ft up · From the meadow camp — 2 mi, 1,000 ft up

Elevation: 9,614 feet
Fish: Yellowstone cutthroat (FWP)
Coordinates: 45.26612, -110.34525
Bugs: Minimal on our visit

Getting there

The hike leaves from the Bridge Creek Trail #25 access point in the Boulder drainage.

The hike

Ten miles out with 3,500 feet of climbing, and it splits into two distinct halves plus a final push.

The first four or five miles are moderate and accessible, the kind of walking that lets you cover ground. After that the trail steepens considerably as it climbs the drainage. Eventually it breaks out into a large opening with excellent flat ground, and that meadow is where you camp.

The meadow is not the lake. From camp it is another two miles with a little over 1,000 feet of climbing to reach the water, and the final half mile is off trail. Plan your days around that gap rather than discovering it.

Bridge Lake is 9,614 feet. FWP lists Yellowstone cutthroat and the fish run small. The views are the reason to make the final push, both ahead of you at the basin and back down the drainage behind.

We did this as a three night trip.

Tips & safety

• The camp is two miles below the lake. There is abundant flat ground in the meadow and it is the obvious place to stay, but carry water accordingly and expect the lake to be a day objective rather than something outside your tent.

• The historic cabin: about an hour up the initial trail, branch off the main path and head downhill along a distinct side track. Worth the detour.

• Black bear: we had a close encounter on this trip. Carry spray and use proper multi-day food storage. This is a long trip in a drainage where you will be handling food for several days.

• Fishing: FWP lists Yellowstone cutthroat. Small fish.

• The last half mile is off trail. Everything up to that is tread you can follow.