Soda Creek Trail

Difficulty:  Moderate     Trail Use:  Light

Length:  6.4 miles from T.H to jct with Goosewing Cr Trail #4082

Elevation:   7870 ft at Trailhead, 10,220 at upper jct with Goosewing Cr Trail

Open to:  Hikers, Equestrian

Trail Highlights:

• The trail begins at the small Wilderness sign just off the road.  The trail is very faint in the beginning.  This section of trail is slated to be rerouted and fixed up by the trail crew in the summer of 2013.  The trail goes through a large open area, with small sections of willows and sagebrush.  It eventually comes into a large marshy area with a small pond and enters the forest.
• The trail climbs up the ridge through the forest and eventually reaches a large open saddle, which has nice views to the north of the Brooks Lake area.  The trail turns and continues on through mixture of open meadow and sections of pine forest.  There are several steep pitches as it climbs.  The trail tops out on an open ridgeline with Teton views.  There is a small rock cairn here, and the trail heads to the left.
• From here on, the trail is difficult to see.  It enters an alpine tundra area and basically winds up the ridges.  You will see some small cairns or wood posts here and there but you just continue to climb to the upper ridgeline where you will intersect with the Goosewing Cr Trail.

Options

• There are no junctions with any other trails except with the Goosewing Cr Trail up high.  The Goosewing Trailhead is not far from the Soda Lake Trailhead so you could do a large loop and just shuttle vehicles or walk back. 

Important Information

• The majority of the Soda Lake Trail is located within the Gros Ventre Wilderness and is not open to motorized or mechanized vehicles. Please respect the wilderness and practice leave no trace ethics.
• This trail is located on USGS quad maps for Upper Slide Lake and Darwin Peak, 7.5 minute.
• Always check the posted information at the kiosks for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.

At a Glance