Waptus Lake Hike
Waptus Lake is a calm, pretty spot, and the trail to get there offers its fair share of excitement. This hike is longer but the elevation gain is fairly spread out, making it doable for intermediate hikers. Note that there is a horse ford across the river that can be unsafe to cross in the early season for shorter hikers. In June, the water can be chest-deep for some. Later in the season, this tends to not be a concern. Bring wading shoes.
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Route Description for Waptus Lake Hike
The hike to Waptus Lake tends to be quiet and scenic, and the lake is an excellent spot to settle in for an hour and watch nature go by. This trail can be tougher to complete in the spring or early summer when the water levels at the creek crossing are high, so tread carefully and bring wading shoes and poles. Later in the summer, the water levels tend to drop quite a bit.
Beginning from the trailhead, take the trail to the far right when the route splits three ways. At the first junction, stay left. The grade is fairly level to begin with and then slowly picks up over a few small hills. Level off once more to follow the river valley and then make your final climb to the lake.
After enjoying the view, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Getting to the Waptus Lake Hike Trailhead
The trailhead for the Waptus Lake hike is at the end of Trailhead Road north of Salmon la Sac Campground.
Route Information
Waptus Lake Hike Elevation Graph
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