Dry Fork (Brewster Lake) Trail

Difficulty:  Strenuous     Trail Use:  Light ( Moderate during Hunting Season)

Length:  10.5 miles from jct with Clear Cr Trail #4099 to Brewster Lake, 3 miles from jct with Clear Cr Trail to jct with Ouzel Falls Cutoff trail, 1 mile from Kinky Cr Trailhead to jct for Dry Fork Trail

Elevation:   8582 ft at Kinky Cr Trailhead, 8213 ft at jct with Clear Cr Trail and Gros Ventre River Trail, 9220 ft at Lunch Lake, 9775 ft at Brewster Lake

Open to:  Hikers, Equestrian

Trail Highlights:

• This trail begins by winding through thick lodgepole pine forest down towards the Gros Ventre River and into large open meadows under large red rock cliffs.  It switchbacks several times until reaching a small junction with the Darwin Ranch Trail.  This trail heads over to private property.  Take a left here to head over towards the creek where there is a log bridge.  Cross the bridge to get to the junction for the Dry Fork, Clear Cr, and Gros Ventre River Trail. 
• There is a sign on a tree at this junction but it is broken in half.  Standing at this junction, looking at the sign, the trail to the far left will take you up Clear Cr Trail, the middle trail is the Dry Fork Trail up to Brewster Lake, and the far right is the Gros Ventre River Trail.
• The trail heading up the Dry Fork climbs steeply up the forested ridge until eventually popping out at an open vista looking up the drainage. 
• The trail continues through the mixture of open sagebrush meadow and pine and aspen stands.  The first junction you reach is a cutoff trail down to Ouzel Falls on the Gros Ventre River.  This trail is not well maintained but is marked with a sign at the junction.
• Continue up the trail as it climbs higher into a more alpine forest until reaching Lunch Lake. 
•  The trail climbs even higher through alpine scrub forest until it reaches another junction at Brewster Lake.  Take a left to head down to the lake, or take a right to head up and over the pass into Grizzly Basin.

Options

• From the lower junction after crossing the log bridge, take a left to go up the Clear Cr Lake Trail #4099.  Its about 4 miles up to Clear Cr Lake.  Take a right at this junction to head up the Gros Ventre River Trail #4081  towards Ouzel and Upper Falls.  This trail eventually connects into the Shoal Falls Trail #4119, the Crystal Cr Trail #4021, or the Swift Cr Trail #4020.
• The junction that is 3 miles up the Dry Fork Trail will take you down to Ouzel Falls.
• The junction at Brewster Lake will take you up and over to the Grizzly Basin Trail #4157, and ties back into the Gros Ventre River Trail at Chateau Lakes.  This is a good loop option for a two or three night trip.  Take the Gros Ventre River Trail down to connect back to Kinky Cr Trailhead.

Important Information

• The Dry Fork Trail is located within the Gros Ventre Wilderness.  See restrictions link below for more info.
•  This trail is located on USGS quad maps for Ouzel Falls, Darwin Peak and Doubletop Peak, 7.5 minute.
• Always check the posted information at the kiosks for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.

At a Glance