Meadow Lake

Drainage: Clarks Fork (WY)
Approaches: Forest Service Road 1491B off FS 149 — park at the inlet, then about 0.5 mi cross-country. High-clearance 4x4 required

Elevation: 9,843 feet
Fish: No confirmed record
Coordinates: 44.92172, -109.54392
Bugs: Heavy, bring repellent

Getting there

Take Forest Service Road 149 near the Top of the World Store, then turn onto Forest Service Road 1491B. That road needs high clearance and four-wheel drive.

Park along the road at the inlet, or near where the inlet starts.

The hike

Half a mile round trip, under 200 feet, and no trail at all.

From where you park, head straight for the lake. Do not try to follow the inlet down. It is marshy and it does not go. Stay west of the far inlet, working along the bank as close to the lake as the ground will let you.

The lake itself is marshy. There is standing water in the grass all around the shoreline, so if you want to actually touch the water, plan on wet feet. There is no dry approach to the shore.

Tips & safety

• The road is the first obstacle. 1491B needs high clearance and four-wheel drive. A stock vehicle will not get you to the parking spot.

• Do not follow the inlet. Marshy and impassable. Stay west of the far inlet and work the bank.

• Wet feet are guaranteed if you want to reach the water. Standing water in the grass right up to the shoreline.

• Bugs are heavy. Marsh and standing water, and the mosquitoes match. Bring repellent.

• Camping: Meadow is ringed by marsh and standing water, which makes dry flat ground scarce right at the lake. Better ground is back toward the road where you park.

• Little Legs: we walked this one with our own young kids and they finished it on their own feet. That is a record of one day with our kids, not a rating. Read what Little Legs means.