Looking for a good trail for scouts

trantelica

New Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2014
Messages
2
Last year we took a few boys to Island Lake for our first backpacking trip and had a good experience. We are interested in stepping up our efforts. I was looking at maybe putting in off the Mirror Lake Highway and hiking to Smith and Morehouse via Big Elk Lake. Anyone with experience on this trail or any feedback. We were looking to cover this in 4 days.
 
Not sure where you intended to start. Crystal Lake TH to Smith & Morehouse runs 12-15 miles. Hitting Big Elk Lake on the way might add another 2-3 miles. The popular part of the trail goes from the TH to Island Lake, with a steep drop off of fellow hikers after that point. i haven't done it, but it's been on my list for a while as a point to point day hike.

What's your motivation/reason? If you're out to have a leisurely 4 days, you'll have a good time. Anything other then that you'll finish in a lot less time then you have indicated.

If you want a longer hike, but still relatively accessible, you could start at Bald Mountain, then hike to Ibantik Lake (night 1), then over past Wall Lake to Long Lake (night 2), Big Elk (night 3), then out the next day to Smith & Morehouse.
 
Not sure where you intended to start. Crystal Lake TH to Smith & Morehouse runs 12-15 miles. Hitting Big Elk Lake on the way might add another 2-3 miles. The popular part of the trail goes from the TH to Island Lake, with a steep drop off of fellow hikers after that point. i haven't done it, but it's been on my list for a while as a point to point day hike.

What's your motivation/reason? If you're out to have a leisurely 4 days, you'll have a good time. Anything other then that you'll finish in a lot less time then you have indicated.

If you want a longer hike, but still relatively accessible, you could start at Bald Mountain, then hike to Ibantik Lake (night 1), then over past Wall Lake to Long Lake (night 2), Big Elk (night 3), then out the next day to Smith & Morehouse.

The boys have wanted to just camp out at a lake for the timeframe and just chill. I would like to challenge them a little. Last year we stopped at Island Lake and stayed the entire time. I was hoping to give them a bit more of a challenge. I have a mixed group in terms of appetite for hiking and experience. If that explains the pacing ...

I read somewhere, probably on another site possibly, about being able to drive up into within sniffing distance of Big Elk and then connecting into Smith and Morehouse trail, but given our familiarity with the Crystal Lake TH and the relative ease of spreading across 4 days, maybe I will go that route.
 
You can drive close to Big Elk, but it does take some high clearance and knowing which forks in the road to take. 4 days would definitely leave you lots of fishing time if you did that. Heading out from Crystal IMO has 2 big advantages- the easier TH access (including vehicle shuttle if needed) and it covers a few more miles on the trail. Just the same, you won't be rushed with 4 days.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
sydissoocool Looking for a backpacking buddy for Uinta Highline Trail Noobs: Introduce yourself! 6
Perry Looking at new trail runners: Altra Lone Peak or Hoka Stinson ATR? Gear 22
Tarp Boy Looking for Shuttle service for Uintas Granddaddy basin trip Trip Planning 0
Stephanie Help! Looking for a 1-2 day trip Backpacking 9
Normie Invite Looking for shuttle partner -- two trips in Southern Utah Meet Up (Members Only) 5
F Looking for tent recommendations Gear 20
ghsmith76 Looking for best multi-day Backpacking Trips near Livingston, MT Trip Planning 6
TeamJenkins17 Looking for info on Clark Creek drainage/Pierpont Pass into Hidden Basin in the Washakie Wilderness Trip Planning 5
chebba87 Invite Looking for partner - Yellowstone late August Meet Up (Members Only) 1
Jamesoutside life Looking for backpacking buddy montana aug/sept Noobs: Introduce yourself! 0
IlVagabondo Looking for a ~30 mile loop in the Scapegoat/Bob Trip Planning 2
Mormadmom New and looking for an adventure Noobs: Introduce yourself! 7
Happyidiot Looking for camping spot close to Denver. General Discussion 2
montanaclimber Looking for bob Marshall recommendation Backpacking 1
U Favorite sites in Glacier in North Fork, Lake McDonald or Cole/Nyack? Looking at mid july Trip Planning 2
Contra Looking at buying a used travel trailer opinions wanted. General Discussion 16
U Favorite Yellowstone Gallatin Mtn Area Campsite? Looking at WD5, WE7 and that area Trip Planning 5
U Glacier North Circle Loop Mid July - Looking for an alternative back-up plan for a 3-4 nighter Trip Planning 0
fossana BLM looking for input on accelerating grazing permits (comment through 6 Mar) General Discussion 2
Benjamin Hayden Looking for good hike away from people in Sedona in mid-February Trip Planning 3
Kullaberg63 Super short notice: Looking for Winds partner Meet Up (Members Only) 4
Perry My First Multi-day Solo this Weekend - Looking for some Beta Trip Planning 0
M Looking for friends and a partner Noobs: Introduce yourself! 0
M Novice Backpacker looking for a 5-6 trip in July! Noobs: Introduce yourself! 3
swmalone Looking for a new bike helmet Gear 5
ADubs Looking for info from anyone who has done the Egypt loop and exited via 25mile wash (Escalante). Trip Planning 3
Jazzy Joe Looking for Escalante Area Short Backpacking Suggestions Early Spring Trip Planning 21
Benjamin Hayden Looking for advice on Maze District, Canyonlands Trip Planning 1
swmalone Looking for Info On How to Access Newfoundland Mountains Trip Planning 1
Laura Looking to avoid photographers Trip Planning 10
Elli Morris Looking for non-petroleum gear options Noobs: Introduce yourself! 4
dhertbag Looking for info on Death Hollow Trip Planning 13
swmalone Looking for Assistance to Introduction to Escalante Area Trip Planning 4
fiber Looking for backpacking/hiking/mtbing partners Meet Up (Members Only) 2
J Looking for backpacking partners Meet Up (Members Only) 3
C looking for the secret society of pictographs ..... Trip Planning 14
swmalone Looking for Softshell/snowshoeing pant suggestions Gear 6
C Looking for HCL 1901 Rock in Old Womans Wash Utah Noobs: Introduce yourself! 2
Burrito Looking for moderate route in the wind rivers Trip Planning 8
mpuchtel Looking to give and receive trip advice Noobs: Introduce yourself! 2
Kullaberg63 Looking for experienced seamstress General Discussion 4
P Noob looking for solitary beauty in canyon lands, san rafael, escalante Noobs: Introduce yourself! 2
Nico Wind River - Looking for fish (of the Golden variety) Trip Planning 9
Mike Jones Looking to by my first real camera Photography 0
Jenece Mordt Looking for a unique hike Trip Planning 9
natylka New to the site! Looking for people to hike and backpack with. Noobs: Introduce yourself! 11
Michael B Looking for Utah backpacking recommendation for early spring Trip Planning 11
J Back again, looking for different access points for Death Hollow...... Trip Planning 9
jdgibney Quick Southwest trip Jan 14-18 - Looking for suggestions Trip Planning 3
owyhee Noob looking for solo hike advice in Capital Reef Noobs: Introduce yourself! 12

Similar threads

Back
Top