Sky Top Lakes
Difficulty: Hard
Trip Type: Multi-Day Backpacking / Day 2 High-Alpine Loop
Distance: ~9.4 miles from starting trailhead / ~2.0 miles from Splinter Lake Basecamp
Elevation: 10,391 feet
Coordinates: 45.12365, -109.80843
Time: ~1.5 hours from Rough Lake
Access: Unmaintained off-trail high country navigation. Departs via cross-country from Rough 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 Sky Top Lakes spans roughly 9.4 miles from the starting trailhead. For backpackers operating from your multi-day basecamp, this destination sits about 2.0 miles away from your campsite at Splinter Lake. On our specific high-alpine loop itinerary for the day, we tracked a total of 4.4 miles from our basecamp tent out to this upper basin, climbing almost 1,900 vertical feet from Splinter Lake across the high country.
Sky Top Lakes marks the absolute turning point of the day's trek. From the shore of the middle lake, you are treated to a spectacular, unparalleled view of Granite Peak towering right above the drainage. Once you finish exploring this stunning high cirque, your forward route begins looping back downward toward camp, meaning any forward tracking from this point onward serves as your return leg to the Splinter Lake basecamp area.
Tips & safety
Terrain Challenge: There are seven distinct lakes strung along this high glacial shelf. Accessing the upper basin requires angling up steep hillsides and maneuvering across open rock benches beyond Rough Lake.
Camping: The surrounding terrain is exceptionally rocky, and there is no firewood available at this high altitude. It is highly recommended to complete this as a day loop and return to a more sheltered camp location down the drainage.
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: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks records show that Arctic Grayling eggs were historically planted in this 21-acre basin in 1955, but surveys indicate they drifted downstream into Rough Lake, leaving these upper waters with no fish caught.
