Clear Creek Lake Trail

Difficulty:  Intermediate       Trail Use:   Light

Length:   4.6 miles from jct with Gros Ventre River Trail #4081 to Clear Lake

Elevation:  8346 ft at start, 9038 ft at 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.
• Take the far left trail to head up to Clear Cr Lake.  The trail heads up the drainage and begins to climb through aspen and pine forest.
• The trail goes up and over and pops out into a large open meadow with great camping options.  The trail passes through some boggy areas and is fairly overgrown with willows in spots.  Stay straight to continue up the drainage.
• The trail climbs up steeply and starts across a bench right above a large cliffed out area.  Take extra caution here especially with stock.  The trail comes very close to the cliff edge and is blocked by only a few trees.  There is a project to move the trail up away from the cliff in the summer of 2012.  The trail eventually comes down from this bench and continues up the creek.
• The trail then follows the creek through wide open meadows up to the lake where it ends. 

Options:

• This trail is mainly an out and back up to the lake.  You will see one old junction for the Dry Fork Trail but this is not system trail and has not been maintained. 
• It is possible to continue past the lake and head up into Tosi Basin.  There are remnants of old trails here but the area is not maintained.

Important Information

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

At a Glance