Stuart Lake Trail #1599

Set at the feet of mighty Mount Stuart and fed by the glaciers clinging to the crags above, the wooded shores of Lake Stuart invite hikers and backpackers to enjoy a spectacular setting.

Begin by following the Stuart Lake Trail #1599 into a mixed forest alongside the rushing waters of Mountaineer Creek. At 0.3 miles enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness where the trail steepens. After climbing 2.2 miles reach the well-marked junction with the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 (sometimes referred to as #1599A) and continue straight ahead toward Stuart Lake.

With most of the elevation out of the way, the 2.0 miles to Lake Stuart pass quickly with only a few ups and downs along the way as you venture deeper into the creek valley. As you near the lake, the trail skirts a large meadow revealing the heights of Mt Stuart and Eightmile Ridge before returning to the trees and finally delivering you to the lakeside 4.2 miles from the trailhead. The trail continues another 0.3 along the shore to the far end of the lake, passing a number of excellent campsites along the way.

There's a lot more to Lake Stuart, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!