Lone Elk Lake
Difficulty: Hard
Trip Type: Multi-Day Backpacking / Day 2 High-Alpine Return
Distance: ~8.5 miles from starting trailhead / ~1.2 miles from Splinter Lake Basecamp
Elevation: 10,155 feet
Coordinates: 45.11233, -109.83125
Time: ~45 minutes from Sky Top Lakes
Access: Unmaintained off-trail high country navigation. Departs via cross-country return from Sky Top Lakes.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)
Getting there
The multi-day backpacking route departs from the Lady of the Lake Trailhead. Please note that this is a thru-hike itinerary; our group dropped one vehicle off at the Beaten Path Trailhead first, then jumped in the truck and drove over to the Lady of the Lake Trailhead to begin hiking. This ensures a vehicle is waiting for pickup at the other side when you finish the trip.
The hike
If you are traveling straight from the vehicle turnaround, the route to Lone Elk Lake spans roughly 8.5 miles from the starting trailhead. For backpackers tracking from your multi-day basecamp, this destination sits about 1.2 miles away from your campsite at Splinter Lake.
On our specific return route from the highest point of the loop, Lone Elk Lake is reached at 4.2 miles of total hiking for the day. The location sits at a 1,730 vertical foot elevation gain when measured from your basecamp tent. Because we have turned around from Sky Top Lakes, the route is now actively bringing you back down toward your main camp at Splinter Lake. The walking involves navigating southwest through unmaintained alpine gaps and rocky benches to hit the shoreline.
Tips & safety
Return Navigation: The terrain on this descent requires steady route-finding to avoid steep drop-offs and cliff bands that separate the upper lake shelf from the lower valley floor. Keep your navigation instruments close at hand as you drop in elevation.
Thru-Hike Logistics: Because this extended itinerary finishes at a completely different exit point, ensure your logistics are arranged with a shuttle vehicle waiting at the final trailhead before you set out.
Fishing: FWP and GNIS data listed for Brook Trout.
