Reed Lake (Lower Vernon)

Clarks Fork (MT)
Written By senddevon .

Difficulty: Little Legs
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: ~5.6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: ~458 feet up
Time: ~3 hours round trip
Access: Maintained trail past Lillis and Vernon Lakes.
Bugs: Extreme (lots of mosquitoes)

Getting there

Park at the Russell Creek trailhead to begin the hike.

The hike

From the Russell Creek trailhead, follow the main trail past the junction before Kersey Lake and up to Lillis Lake. Stay on the trail past Lillis Lake for another 0.7 miles to pass Vernon Lake. Reed Lake sits right next to Vernon Lake, just a short distance further down the trail at a total of 2.8 miles from the trailhead. Reaching the lake shore requires bushwhacking through thick brush.

Tips & safety

  • Navigation: Missed turns early on will take you toward Kersey Lake instead. Watch closely for the Vernon Lake trail split at the 1.2-mile mark. This lake is called Reed Lake or Lower Vernon, and sits directly adjacent to Vernon Lake.

  • Bugs: Heavy bug pressure. Bring heavy-duty repellent and gear for extreme mosquito numbers.

  • Fishing: FWP and GNIS data listed for regional trout, but we didn't catch any fish.

senddevon .
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Vernon Lake