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Trail · Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Badlands Trail

12.2 mi round trip5,306 ft gainVery hardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Free self-issue
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Permits and reservations

Day hikeFree self-issue
Fill out the free wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk.
OvernightFree self-issue
No reservation. Use the same free permit, keep groups to 12 or fewer, and camp at least 200 ft from water.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness rules from the Forest Service. Matched from official wilderness boundaries. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.

About the trail

Distance12.2 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain5,306 ftTotal climb, round trip
High point6,199 ftFrom elevation data

Overview

Badlands Trail is a 12.2-mile round trip, out and back from Hatchery Creek Trailhead. The route follows Hatchery Creek Trail, then Badlands Trail.

Photos from hikers

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What you need

Parking and passes

Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).

Buy a Northwest Forest Pass

Getting there

The hike starts at Hatchery Creek Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.

Conditions

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Full forecast at weather.gov