Kookoo Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Backpacking
Distance: ~10.7 miles from trailhead / ~2.5 miles from Shadow Lake
Elevation: 10,394 feet
Coordinates: 45.12216, -109.58758
Time: ~3 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 Kookoo Lake spans roughly 10.7 miles one way and involves almost 3,380 vertical feet of elevation gain. For backpackers tracking from your multi-day basecamp at Shadow Lake, this destination sits about 2.5 miles past camp. If tracking sequentially along your upper basin route, Kookoo Lake is located just past your last stop at Triangle Lake.

Unlike the other adjacent upper lakes on the high bench which feature an easy walk, Kookoo Lake requires a bit more effort. To reach the shoreline and satisfy the rule of physically touching the water to count it, you must drop down a steep 200 vertical feet to the lake level, and then climb that same 200 vertical feet right back up to regain the bench.

Tips & safety

• Terrain Challenge: The 200-foot drop down and back up is steep and rocky. Take your time navigating the slope to ensure stable footing on the loose mountain scree.

• 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. This was the only lake where we caught fish during this upper basin stretch, though honestly we didn't land anything during our July 2014 visit.