Rough Lake

Difficulty: Hard
Trip Type: Multi-Day Backpacking / Day 2 High-Alpine Loop
Distance: ~8.9 miles from starting trailhead / ~1.5 miles from Splinter Lake Basecamp
Elevation: 10,191 feet
Coordinates: 45.12041, -109.82673
Time: ~1 hour from Looking Glass Lake
Access: Unmaintained off-trail high country navigation. Departs via cross-country from Looking Glass Lake.
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 Rough Lake spans roughly 8.9 miles from the starting trailhead. For backpackers operating from your multi-day basecamp, this destination sits about 1.5 miles away from your campsite at Splinter Lake. On our specific high-alpine loop itinerary for the day, we tracked a total of 3.7 miles from our basecamp tent out to this lake, climbing almost 1,670 vertical feet from Splinter Lake across the high bench system.

Rough Lake serves as the turning point for the day. After exploring this basin, the route heads back toward camp, meaning any forward distance from this point forward tracks your return leg to the Splinter Lake basecamp area. The cross-country route drops slightly down from the higher eastern crags, sitting nestled extensively in the rugged granite fields at an elevation of 10,191 feet.

Tips & safety

• Camping: Unlike the surrounding rocky gaps, Rough Lake features a good camping spot located on the southwest side of the lake. There are some flat places near the inlet, though it sits above the tree line meaning firewood is non-existent.

• 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.