Vernon Lake
Drainage: Clarks Fork (MT)
Approaches: Russell Creek trailhead — about 2.6 mi one way, on trail the whole way; about 413 ft up. Bushwhack to the shore
Elevation: 7,977 feet
Fish: Brook trout, Yellowstone cutthroat (FWP)
Coordinates: 45.00927, -109.83209
Bugs: Extreme, heavy mosquito pressure
Getting there
Park at the Russell Creek trailhead.
The hike
Just over five miles round trip, about two and a half hours, and on maintained trail the whole way.
Watch for the Vernon Lake trail split at 1.2 miles. Miss it and you end up heading toward Kersey Lake instead. That junction is the only navigation decision that matters here.
Past the split, follow the trail up to Lillis Lake, then continue another seven tenths of a mile with only about 95 feet of climbing. That stretch is flat walking.
The lake itself is slightly awkward to find at the end, and reaching the water means bushwhacking through thick brush. The trail brings you close, not to the shore.
Vernon holds both brook trout and Yellowstone cutthroat, which is more than most lakes on this trail carry. We did not catch anything.
Reed Lake, also called Lower Vernon, sits right beside it a short way further along.
Tips & safety
Bring serious repellent. The mosquitoes here are extreme rather than merely present. Head net weather.
The 1.2 mile split is the mistake to avoid. Missing it sends you toward Kersey.
Bushwhack at the end. Thick brush between the trail and the water, so long sleeves regardless of the temperature.
Fishing: FWP lists brook trout and Yellowstone cutthroat. We caught neither.
Camping: Vernon sits at the end of maintained trail, so it is reachable with a full pack. The brush around the shore limits open flat ground, and the mosquito pressure is the real consideration for a night here.
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.
