Ship Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Backpacking
Distance: ~9.7 miles from trailhead / ~1.5 miles from Shadow Lake
Elevation: 10,594 feet
Coordinates: 45.11702, -109.59641
Time: ~2 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 Ship Lake spans roughly 9.7 miles one way and involves almost 3,289 vertical feet of elevation gain. For backpackers tracking from your multi-day basecamp at Shadow Lake, this destination sits about 1.5 miles past camp. If tracking sequentially along your upper basin route, Ship Lake is located just a short walk past your last stop at Marker Lake.

The approach involves navigating the unmaintained alpine plateau beyond the footbridge. From Marker Lake, the terrain transitions into a relatively easy and pleasant high country walk as you follow the natural bench system directly over to the shores of Ship Lake.

Tips & safety

• Core Basin Loop: Ship Lake sits comfortably clustered with the surrounding upper waters, making it an easy off-trail extension to explore before dropping into the lower drainages.

• 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 Brook Trout.