Peanut Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Side Trip
Distance: ~5.3 miles from starting trailhead / ~0.3 miles from Splinter Lake Basecamp
Elevation: 9,474 feet
Coordinates: 45.08678, -109.85461
Time: ~15 minutes from Splinter Lake Basecamp
Access: Unmaintained off-trail navigation. Departs via cross-country from Splinter Lake Basecamp.
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 Peanut Lake spans roughly 5.3 miles and involves almost 1,500 vertical feet of elevation gain from the start. For backpackers operating out of a multi-day basecamp, this destination sits just a short, 0.3-mile walk south of your campsite at Splinter Lake.

The approach requires entirely off-trail cross-country route-finding. Because it sits on the same high basin bench as your basecamp, the terrain between Splinter Lake and Peanut Lake involves very little additional elevation change, allowing for a quick and straightforward side trek across the alpine landscape.

Tips & safety

• Side-Trip Exploration: This small body of water is ideally positioned to tackle as a quick evening loop on your first night out, right alongside neighboring Moccasin Lake.

• 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: No official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks data is listed for this small alpine basin.