Seneca Lake Trail

The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes.

From the Elkhart trailhead parking lot, take the Pole Creek Trail directly adjacent to the restroom. You will follow this trail for approximately 4.5 miles through lodgepole pine forests and beautiful alpine parks, until you hit photographer's point, a really great spot. See Hike To Photographer's Point.

Once you've taken all the photos you need, continue on about a mile to Eklund Lake. This is a great little lake to camp if you want solitude. I never see people there, as most people are heading to Seneca and beyond.

Continue on the trail down valleys and up steep hillsides another 3 miles or so. Great views of Fremont peak and the surrounding peaks of the Winds await.

Summer is very busy and buggy, so be sure to bring lots of spray and maybe even face netting. All in all, the hike is only 9 miles one-way and about 2000 feet elevation gain.

Be advised that the Winds now have Grizzlies, so hike in groups, make noise, and carry bear protection. Also, many outfitters frequent this trail, so be courteous and move off the trail on the uphill side when horses and mules are passing!