Lake · Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Hardscrabble Lakes
17.8 mi round trip3,111 ft gainVery hardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Free self-issue
Get alerts for this hikePermits 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
Distance17.8 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain3,111 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation4,590 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Hardscrabble Lakes is a lake reached by a 17.8-mile round trip from Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead. The route follows Dutch Miller Gap Trail, then Hardscrabble Lake Trail, then Upper Hardscrabble Lake Trail to the shore.
Heads up: 77% on old roads.
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 PassGetting there
The hike starts at Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.