22 Best Hikes in Great Basin National Park
Twenty-two Great Basin hikes for bristlecone groves, alpine lakes, remote wash routes, accessible forest walks, and Wheeler Peak.
Great Basin rises nearly eight thousand feet from desert basin to Wheeler Peak. The hiking changes just as sharply: sagebrush loops and limestone canyons sit below alpine lakes, ancient bristlecones, and a 13,063-foot summit.
These 22 routes are organized by the roads and trailheads that make them possible. Short accessible walks, established forest loops, remote south-country routes, and high alpine objectives each serve a different planning decision. A Lehman Caves tour requires a ticket and a ranger, so it is not counted as a hike.
At the start of September 2026, the park reports Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive plus Baker, Strawberry, and Snake Creek roads open. Snow, fire, flooding, or washouts can change that quickly. Lexington Arch Road remains severely washed out, with high-clearance four-wheel drive recommended and added walking likely before the mapped trail.
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What changes a hiking day here
Treat elevation as part of the mileage
The upper trailhead is near 10,000 feet and Wheeler Peak reaches 13,063 feet. Ascend gradually, drink water, and descend if headache, nausea, unusual breathlessness, or confused speech appears. Fitness does not prevent altitude illness.
Finish exposed ridges before storms build
Summer lightning can arrive quickly, with ridge winds of 30 to 60 miles per hour. Start Wheeler Peak and the high lakes early. Leave summits and open ridges at the first thunder or dark, fast-growing clouds.
Road choice changes the hike
Only Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is paved. Baker Creek, Snake Creek, and other approaches can close after snow or storms. Vehicles longer than 24 feet cannot use the upper scenic drive, and trailers need special caution.
Carry winter layers in summer
Snow can fall in any month at high elevation, while nighttime desert temperatures drop sharply. Bring an insulating layer and shell even when Baker is hot. Surface water must be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View Nature Trail | 0.4 mi | 9 min | Easy | A short orientation to basin-and-range country |
| Pole Canyon Loop | 6.7 mi | 3 hr 35 min | Moderate | Limestone walls and a quieter lower-canyon circuit |
| Osceola Ditch to Mill Creek | 2.7 mi | 1 hr 30 min | Easy | A gentler historic waterworks walk below the alpine zone |
| Mather Overlook Walk | 0.1 mi | 1 hr | Easy | A quick high-road panorama without a trailhead commitment |
| Sky Island Forest Trail | 0.4 mi | 20–30 min | Easy and accessible | An accessible introduction to the park's high forest |
| Stella Lake | 2.1 mi | 1 hr 30 min | Moderate | A short alpine-lake walk beneath Wheeler Peak |
| Alpine Lakes Loop | 2.7 mi | 1 hr 16 min | Moderate | A complete circuit of Stella and Teresa lakes |
| Bristlecone Pine Grove Trail | 2.8 mi | 1 hr 30 min | Moderate | Ancient trees at the edge of the alpine zone |
| Bristlecone Pine and Rock Glacier Trail | 3.9 mi | 1 hr 57 min | Hard | Ancient trees followed by a rocky glacial basin |
| Wheeler Peak Summit Trail | 8.7 mi | 5 hr 34 min | Hard | The park's major high-elevation summit day |
| Lehman Creek Trail | 6.7 mi | 4 hr 3 min | Hard | A sustained forest climb linking lower and upper park country |
| Upper Strawberry Creek Trail | 4.2 mi | 3 hr | Moderate | A recovering creek canyon with fewer high-road visitors |
| Serviceberry Loop | 3.1 mi | 2 hr | Moderate | A moderate Baker Creek loop away from upper-road crowds |
| Baker Creek Loop | 3.5 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Creekside forest and a flexible half-day hike |
| Timber Creek Loop | 5.3 mi | 4 hr | Moderate | A longer wooded loop with steady creek climbing |
| Dead Lake and Johnson Lake Loop | 5.1 mi | 3 hr 30 min | Hard | A demanding lake loop and first taste of Great Basin backcountry |
| Baker Lake Trail | 11.1 mi | 5 hr 56 min | Hard | An all-day climb to a quiet alpine lake |
| Shoshone Accessible Trail | About 0.1 mi | 10–20 min | Easy and accessible | An accessible creek overlook and trout interpretation |
| Snake Creek Overlook | 1.4 mi | 1 hr | Moderate | A short overlook above the Snake Creek drainage |
| Snake Divide to Mount Washington | 12.2 mi | 8 hr 30 min | Hard | A remote ridge day with extensive route finding |
| Big Wash Trail | 20.6 mi published route; 21.6 mi mapped centerline | 12–24 hr | Strenuous | The park's longest isolated south-country route |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 3.6 mi mapped trail; about 5.6 mi from the current vehicle stop | 3–5 hr | Moderate | A remote limestone arch in the park's far south |
Mountain View Nature Trail
- Distance
- 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 65 feet
- Time
- 9 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Use the Lehman Caves Visitor Center lot and follow the signed nature-trail start.
- Best time
- Morning or early evening, especially on a cave-tour day with spare time.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This compact loop above the cave visitor center introduces pinyon-juniper woodland and opens a view toward the Snake Range. Interpretive stops make the four-tenths of a mile more useful than the number suggests.
The lower elevation is warmer than Wheeler Peak, but the sun is still strong and the air dry. Stay on the signed loop around limestone openings and never enter an unmarked cave or mine.
What helps on this route
- Walk it before a cave tour rather than risking a late arrival at the ticket desk.
- Use the overlook to compare valley and mountain weather before driving uphill.
Terrain and access: Short dry loop, pinyon-juniper shade, limestone, gentle slopes, interpretive stops, and exposed viewpoints.
Pole Canyon Loop
- Distance
- 6.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,590 feet
- Time
- 3 hr 35 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Turn toward Grey Cliffs Campground about 1.5 miles along Baker Creek Road and follow Pole Canyon trailhead signs.
- Best time
- Spring or autumn for comfortable lower-elevation temperatures.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Pole Canyon climbs beside limestone and dry woodland before looping through open country near Grey Cliffs. It offers geological texture without the altitude of Wheeler Peak.
The route crosses sun-exposed slopes and can be hotter than the Baker Creek forest. Carry more water than the map seems to require, and stay away from mine openings and unstable cliff bases.
What helps on this route
- Choose this when high ridges are stormy but Baker Creek Road remains dry.
- Watch for sharp limestone under loose gravel on descents.
Terrain and access: Limestone canyon, dry woodland, open slopes, loose rock, sustained sun, old mining country, and gravel-road access.
Osceola Ditch to Mill Creek
- Distance
- 2.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 170 feet
- Time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Osceola Ditch trailhead around Mile 5 of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
- Best time
- Late spring through fall when the road and tread are snow-free.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The trail follows part of an old mining-era ditch toward Mill Creek, holding a relatively even contour through forest and open slopes. It is a quieter middle-elevation option between visitor-center walks and upper-mountain hikes.
Ditch edges can crumble and wet sections may be slick. Keep off old structures, watch children near drops, and do not assume the historic grade stays level throughout after storms or maintenance work.
What helps on this route
- Use this route when altitude makes the upper trailhead uncomfortable.
- Carry water even beside the ditch and creek; surface water needs treatment.
Terrain and access: Historic ditch grade, forest, open slopes, eroded edges, occasional wet ground, modest elevation change, and road-access trailhead.
Mather Overlook Walk
- Distance
- 0.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 0 feet
- Time
- 1 hr
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Stop only in the developed Mather Overlook pullout on Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
- Best time
- Late afternoon on a clear day, outside lightning and strong wind.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The one-tenth-mile path leaves the pullout for a clearer look across the basin and into the mountain forest. It is a viewpoint walk, not a one-hour hike despite old crowd-sourced timing attached to the route file.
The overlook sits high enough for abrupt weather. Keep children away from loose edges, and do not cross restoration barriers for a slightly different angle.
What helps on this route
- Use it as a weather stop before continuing to the upper trailheads.
- Shift to a lower route if clouds are already building over Wheeler Peak.
Terrain and access: Very short mountain overlook path, loose gravel, road exposure, open edge, wind, and high-elevation weather.
Sky Island Forest Trail
- Distance
- 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 25 feet
- Time
- 20–30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy and accessible
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Use the signed accessible parking at the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive when the upper road is open.
- Best time
- A clear morning after the upper road opens for the season.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This short boardwalk-and-mat route enters aspen and conifer forest near 10,000 feet. Interpretive stops make it useful for visitors who want alpine habitat without the rock and sustained climbing of nearby trails.
The trail itself is built to accessibility standards, but altitude and rapidly changing mountain weather still matter. The upper road is steep and seasonal, so confirm access before driving uphill.
What helps on this route
- Move slowly if arriving directly from low elevation; a short route does not remove altitude effects.
- Keep the boardwalk clear and use the developed pullouts for photographs.
Terrain and access: Boardwalk and matted surface, minor grades, forest shade, creek sounds, high elevation, and paved-road access.
Stella Lake
- Distance
- 2.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 460 feet
- Time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the Bristlecone parking area at the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive; arrive early on summer weekends.
- Best time
- Early summer morning after the trail is snow-free, or September for cool clear air.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This out-and-back follows part of the Alpine Lakes Loop to Stella Lake, where Wheeler Peak rises sharply beyond the water. It gives a concentrated high-country experience without committing to the full lake circuit or summit.
The trail begins near 10,000 feet, so two miles can feel longer than expected. Snow lingers into summer, and the shore vegetation is fragile. Stay on durable tread and keep away from saturated meadow edges.
What helps on this route
- Continue around the full Alpine Lakes Loop only if weather and acclimatization are both good.
- Avoid walking onto ice; alpine lakes thaw later than valley ponds.
Terrain and access: High-elevation forest, rocky tread, modest climbs, lingering snow, sensitive meadow, lake shore, and thin air.
Alpine Lakes Loop
- Distance
- 2.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 510 feet
- Time
- 1 hr 16 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Start at the Bristlecone parking area at the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
- Best time
- Early morning after snowmelt, before clouds build over Wheeler Peak.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The official loop links Stella and Teresa lakes beneath Wheeler Peak, moving through cool forest and open lake basins. It is the efficient high-country circuit when a summit day is too long but one lake feels too brief.
Snow can linger well into summer, and wet shoreline plants recover slowly from trampling. Stay on the loop at unsigned spurs and give the lake edges room.
What helps on this route
- Walk the loop only while the upper road and both lake segments are open.
- Turn back toward the trailhead if thunder develops; the lakes do not provide storm shelter.
Terrain and access: High forest, two alpine lakes, rocky tread, moderate climbing, seasonal snow, thin air, and sensitive shore vegetation.
Bristlecone Pine Grove Trail
- Distance
- 2.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 620 feet
- Time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Start at the Bristlecone parking area at the end of the open scenic drive.
- Best time
- Morning after snowmelt, before the small lot and trail become busy.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The trail climbs into the Wheeler Peak grove, where wind-shaped bristlecone pines grow from pale limestone. Signs explain how dead-looking wood and living strips can belong to the same tree for thousands of years.
The grove is not a collection site. Do not touch exposed roots, take wood, or leave the path for a photograph. Continue toward the rock glacier only with enough time and a current route map.
What helps on this route
- Move slowly through the signed grove rather than treating it as a summit approach.
- Carry a layer; shade and wind make the grove much cooler than Baker.
Terrain and access: Rocky high-country trail, steady climb, limestone, ancient-tree grove, wind, thin air, and possible lingering snow.
Bristlecone Pine and Rock Glacier Trail
- Distance
- 3.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 890 feet
- Time
- 1 hr 57 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the Bristlecone parking area at the upper end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
- Best time
- A calm summer morning after the glacier trail is free of deep snow.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This longer high-country walk passes through the Wheeler Peak bristlecone grove and continues toward the rock glacier below the cirque. The continuation changes the trip from an interpretive grove walk into a rougher alpine outing.
Loose rock, lingering snow, and altitude slow the final approach. The rock glacier is a landform to observe from durable tread, not a shortcut across unstable blocks.
What helps on this route
- Visit the grove first, then reassess weather and energy before continuing to the glacier.
- Keep hands and feet off living bristlecone roots and weathered wood.
Terrain and access: Rocky alpine trail, ancient-tree grove, talus, lingering snow, open cirque, wind, and thin air.
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
- Distance
- 8.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,890 feet
- Time
- 5 hr 34 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed summit trailhead near the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive only while the upper road is open.
- Best time
- A stable summer morning with the summit completed before afternoon storm development.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The trail climbs from near 10,000 feet to Wheeler Peak's 13,063-foot summit, crossing forest, open tundra, and a broad rocky ridge. The view reaches across the Snake Range and desert basins, but wind and thin air shape the day as much as mileage.
Loose upper tread and lightning exposure leave little margin for a late start. Protect alpine plants, stay on the durable line, and descend immediately for thunder or altitude symptoms.
What helps on this route
- Spend a night at moderate elevation before the climb if arriving from near sea level.
- Do not shelter from lightning beneath sparse ridge trees; descend toward lower, less exposed ground.
Terrain and access: High forest, alpine tundra, loose rocky ridge, sustained climbing, severe wind and lightning exposure, and thin air.
Lehman Creek Trail
- Distance
- 6.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,050 feet
- Time
- 4 hr 3 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Begin from the signed Lehman Creek trail access and use only developed campground or trail parking.
- Best time
- Late spring through fall when the creek corridor is snow-free.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Lehman Creek climbs through changing forest zones beside the drainage, connecting developed lower country with cooler slopes above. The route is quieter than the upper scenic-drive network and gains its elevation steadily.
Snow, deadfall, or high water may remain after the campgrounds reopen. Use the signed trail rather than campground roads, and do not step into the creek to bypass an obstacle.
What helps on this route
- Check which campground facilities and trail access points are open before starting.
- Treat creek water and carry enough to finish if the drainage is low.
Terrain and access: Creekside forest, steady climbing, roots and rock, seasonal snow or deadfall, water crossings, and campground access.
Upper Strawberry Creek Trail
- Distance
- 4.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,310 feet
- Time
- 3 hr
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Follow Strawberry Creek Road to the signed day-use trailhead when the dirt road is open and dry.
- Best time
- Spring for water and flowers, or a cool autumn day before road closure.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The trail follows upper Strawberry Creek through brush, young forest, and open slopes shaped by past fire. Its middle elevation makes it a useful bridge between the sage-steppe loop and the park's alpine trails.
Post-fire regrowth can narrow sightlines and obscure side paths. Stay with the maintained corridor, avoid cutting switchbacks, and give wildlife room near the creek.
What helps on this route
- Do not drive the dirt approach after heavy rain if ruts or mud threaten the road surface.
- Carry sun protection; the recovering canyon has long exposed stretches.
Terrain and access: Creek corridor, recovering burn area, brush, open slopes, moderate climbing, dirt-road access, and limited shade.
Serviceberry Loop
- Distance
- 3.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 770 feet
- Time
- 2 hr
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Use the signed Baker Creek trailhead at the end of the gravel road when open.
- Best time
- Spring or autumn afternoon, or a summer morning after the road dries.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Serviceberry circles through pinyon, mountain brush, and creek-influenced forest near Baker Creek. It is a practical alternative when the Wheeler Peak lot is full or clouds cover the alpine zone.
Trail junctions connect with longer Baker Creek routes. Carry the area map and stay on the intended loop; old tracks and drainages can make a casual shortcut less obvious on the return.
What helps on this route
- Check the gravel road after storms before committing a low-clearance car.
- Use this loop to acclimatize before a higher hike the following day.
Terrain and access: Dry forest, brush, rolling trail, creek proximity, loose soil, signed junctions, and gravel-road access.
Baker Creek Loop
- Distance
- 3.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 940 feet
- Time
- 2 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Drive Baker Creek Road to the main trailhead loop when the gravel road is open.
- Best time
- A cool summer morning or autumn day before winter road closure.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This loop links sections of the Baker Creek and South Fork trail network through aspen, conifer forest, and open creek benches. The repeated habitat changes make it feel longer than three and a half miles.
High water, fallen trees, or snow can affect crossings and junctions. Follow signs rather than an old two-track, and keep livestock or hikers ahead in view before passing on narrow trail.
What helps on this route
- Photograph the trailhead map because several longer routes begin here.
- Filter any creek water; clear mountain flow can still carry giardia.
Terrain and access: Forest loop, creek benches, roots and loose rock, seasonal water crossings, aspen shade, and interconnected trail junctions.
Timber Creek Loop
- Distance
- 5.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,660 feet
- Time
- 4 hr
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Use the Baker Creek trailhead and verify the correct loop junction before leaving the parking area.
- Best time
- Summer after snowmelt, or early fall for aspen color.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Timber Creek climbs into cooler mixed forest before looping back through the Baker Creek network. It has more sustained walking than Serviceberry without the all-day commitment of Baker Lake.
The five-mile route can hold snow and deadfall after the valley has dried. Budget time for route finding at junctions and avoid stepping around obstacles into fragile creekside vegetation.
What helps on this route
- Ask about recent deadfall if spring trail crews have not reached the loop.
- Carry a warm layer even when the lower campground is comfortable.
Terrain and access: Creekside forest, steady moderate climbs, roots, rock, possible deadfall or snow, and linked Baker Creek trails.
Dead Lake and Johnson Lake Loop
- Distance
- 5.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,630 feet
- Time
- 3 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Begin at the Baker Creek trailhead; backcountry camping requires the current park permit process.
- Best time
- Snow-free summer or early fall with a stable forecast.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This compact but steep combination climbs through the Johnson and Dead Lake trail system, passing old mining traces and two high basins. Elevation change makes the five miles harder than the distance suggests.
Some connecting segments are primitive. Mines and collapsed workings are dangerous, while wet meadows are easily damaged. Stay out of openings, cross only on durable ground, and register any overnight itinerary.
What helps on this route
- Confirm the loop direction and water crossings with a ranger before starting.
- Do not shorten the route through mining debris or meadow.
Terrain and access: Steep forest trail, primitive connectors, lake basins, old mining ground, loose rock, water crossings, and possible snow.
Baker Lake Trail
- Distance
- 11.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,650 feet
- Time
- 5 hr 56 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the main Baker Creek trailhead at the end of the open gravel road.
- Best time
- A long summer day after snowmelt, starting early enough to avoid afternoon storms.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Baker Lake sits high beneath the Snake Range, reached by a sustained climb from the Baker Creek drainage. The route trades the crowds of the upper scenic drive for more mileage and a gradual transition through several forest zones.
Eleven miles, altitude, and a remote turnaround make this a serious day. Carry navigation, storm layers, and enough food to handle delays. Backcountry camping requires registration or permits under current park rules.
What helps on this route
- Set a turnaround time before leaving the trailhead, not when clouds appear above the lake.
- Treat water and keep camp or lunch stops off the lake's fragile shore vegetation.
Terrain and access: Long forest ascent, creek crossings, high basin, rocky lake approach, altitude, remote terrain, and possible lingering snow.
Shoshone Accessible Trail
- Distance
- About 0.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 0 feet
- Time
- 10–20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy and accessible
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Park at the signed Snake Creek trailhead at the end of the gravel road; do not block the turnaround.
- Best time
- Spring through fall while Snake Creek Road is open and firm.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The short path reaches a wooden platform above Snake Creek with interpretive information about Bonneville cutthroat trout. It is the park's lower accessible trail counterpart to Sky Island Forest.
The trail meets accessibility standards, though rain and snow can roughen the dirt surface. Snake Creek Road is also unpaved and may be difficult for low-clearance or ramp-equipped vehicles.
What helps on this route
- Check the road surface before committing an adapted vehicle to the long gravel approach.
- Use the platform for creek viewing and keep fishing activity within current park rules.
Terrain and access: Nearly level dirt path, wooden creek platform, minor surface irregularities, no shade guarantee, and remote gravel-road access.
Snake Creek Overlook
- Distance
- 1.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 340 feet
- Time
- 1 hr
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the Snake Creek trailhead parking at the road's end when the gravel approach is open.
- Best time
- Morning or evening for cooler temperatures and clearer basin light.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This compact route climbs from the remote trailhead to a view across Snake Creek and the surrounding ridges. It offers a defined destination without the commitment of the longer divide and lake routes leaving the same area.
Loose soil and exposed edges deserve care despite the short mileage. Storms can make the approach road slick long before the trail itself looks difficult.
What helps on this route
- Pair it with the accessible creek platform only if parking remains available at the trailhead.
- Return to the road before dark; the long gravel exit is slower than the map suggests.
Terrain and access: Short mountain path, open overlook, loose soil, moderate grades, wind exposure, and remote gravel-road access.
Snake Divide to Mount Washington
- Distance
- 12.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,790 feet
- Time
- 8 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Begin at the Snake Creek trailhead and confirm the intended divide route before leaving the developed area.
- Best time
- A stable, snow-free summer or early-fall day with an early start.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
The route climbs from Snake Creek toward the divide and Mount Washington, entering broad, lightly traveled high country. Its distance and remoteness make it a navigation day rather than a casual extension of the overlook trail.
Some sections are routes rather than maintained tread. Carry an offline topographic map, expect slow progress around loose rock or vegetation, and turn around before weather closes the return line.
What helps on this route
- Leave a route plan with someone outside the park and set a conservative turnaround time.
- Do not rely on a phone signal for navigation or emergency contact.
Terrain and access: Remote forest and ridge route, faint tread, loose rock, sustained climbing, high exposure, altitude, and long gravel-road access.
Big Wash Trail
- Distance
- 20.6 mi published route; 21.6 mi mapped centerline
- Elevation gain
- 5,280 feet
- Time
- 12–24 hr
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Start at Snake Creek trailhead or the North Fork Lexington Creek approach; the Lexington side requires high-clearance four-wheel drive.
- Best time
- Summer or fall after confirming both access roads, water conditions, and a stable forecast.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Big Wash uses Shoshone Trail, North Fork Big Wash, and South Fork Big Wash to reach remote country between Snake Creek and Lexington Creek. The NPS publishes 20.6 miles; the current public centerlines used for the map measure about 21.6 miles for the return.
The park warns that vegetation can cover sections and that bushwhacking and wayfinding may be necessary. A 12-to-24-hour published time range makes this an expert-level day or overnight plan, not a mileage challenge to begin late.
What helps on this route
- Confirm the exact trailhead and return plan with park staff; the two starting areas are not interchangeable by road.
- Carry a full backcountry navigation and emergency kit, plus enough water for an unexpectedly slow return.
Terrain and access: Primitive wash and ridge travel, faint or brushy tread, repeated climbing, exposed terrain, remote trailheads, and no potable water.
Lexington Arch Trail
- Distance
- 3.6 mi mapped trail; about 5.6 mi from the current vehicle stop
- Elevation gain
- 1,100 feet
- Time
- 3–5 hr
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Approach from Utah 21 on Lexington Creek Road. High clearance and four-wheel drive are recommended; park where current washouts stop safe travel.
- Best time
- A cool, dry day outside summer heat and after checking the long dirt-road approach.
- Pets
- Leashed pets are allowed on Lexington Arch Trail under current park rules; verify regulations before departure.
The mapped trail climbs roughly 1.8 miles each way to Lexington Arch. Current NPS guidance places the practical vehicle stop about a mile short of the former trailhead, so the full walk may be about 5.6 miles round trip even though the verified trail centerline is 3.6 miles.
The route is exposed after wildfire and the road is severely washed out. Bring recovery gear for the vehicle, carry all water, and expect the drive plus walk to occupy much of the day.
What helps on this route
- Do not add a road segment to the plan until current conditions show where vehicles can safely stop.
- Lexington Arch is the park's trail exception for leashed pets; verify the current rule before bringing one.
Terrain and access: Rough dirt-road approach, exposed burned slopes, rocky climbing, limited shade, remote limestone canyon, and variable added road walking.
Official planning sources
Trail access and safety details were checked against these National Park Service pages. The maps and profiles follow the corresponding route geometry.
- NPS: Current conditions and road status
- NPS: Complete hiking trail directory
- NPS: Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive trails
- NPS: Baker Creek trails
- NPS: Snake Creek trails
- NPS: Lexington Arch trails
- NPS: Big Wash route
- NPS: Lexington Arch route
- NPS: Physical and mobility access
- NPS: Safety, altitude, and lightning
- NPS: Park brochure and mapped trail network
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Trail geometry and planning details include National Park Service public information.