Wall Lake

Difficulty: Easy
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Basecamp
Distance: ~0.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,783 feet
Coordinates: 45.10369, -109.92154
Time: ~15 minutes round trip
Access: Short walking path. ATV, off-road buggy, or capable 4x4 required to reach the vehicle turnaround.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)

Getting there

Accessing this area requires navigating the rugged Goose Lake Jeep Trail. You will absolutely need an ATV, an off-road buggy, or a highly capable off-road vehicle. Your driving portion ends when you reach the vehicle turnaround near the Goose Creek waterfall area, which serves as your staging spot to park and shoulder your packs.

Be extremely cautious when parking your vehicle; local pine martens are highly active in this basin and are notorious for chewing on wires and cables underneath parked machines. Just before the trail ends near the falls, look for a hard right turn that points you north to begin the hike.

The hike

From the parking area near the Goose Creek waterfall, there is no grueling trail hike required to see the first lake. You will follow a brief, well-defined path heading north for exactly two hundred and sixty-seven yards from the off-road turnaround to step straight onto the shoreline of Wall Lake. This short walk features minor elevation shifts and serves as a highly accessible first stop.

Tips & safety

• Trail Conditions: This is the baseline staging lake for the intermediate loop. The short path remains well-defined all the way to the water, but if you intend to travel past this body of water toward Anvil Lake, the maintained trail completely ends.

• Weather: High-altitude mountain weather can turn fast here. Come fully prepared for sustained cold rain or sudden storms.

• Vehicle Care: Double-check your lines and undercarriage before leaving your off-road machine at the waterfall to ensure local wildlife hasn't chewed through important cables.

• Fishing: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lists historical management data for this alpine basin, but we didn't catch any fish at this specific stop.