Located at the end of Great Basin National Park Scenic Drive, the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail features lush forest, two beautiful alpine lakes, and a diverse scenery found only in high-elevation backcountry. With only 2.7 miles and 400 ft gain in elevation, the Alpine Lakes Loop can be considered an easy hike. However, since the trailhead sits at 9,960 ft in elevation, the high altitude can make this trail more challenging, especially for those flatlanders like us. Even so, the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail is a perfect hike for beginners, families with children, or those who want to acclimate to the higher altitude. If you’re ambitious, you can also loop this with the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail with the Bristlecone Trail and Glacier Trail for a much longer and very rewarding hike.
Alpine Lakes Loop Trailhead
Bristlecone Parking Area, Baker, NV 89311
39.010127, -114.307111
Decent-sized, paved parking lot in front of the trailhead
There is NO fee to enter the Great Basin National Park
Restrooms at the trailhead
2.7 miles R.T.
475 ft
Easy to Moderate. The trail is simple but you’ll be hiking in high altitude.
Takes average 1.5-3 hours
Leave your pet at home. They are not allowed on the trail!
You can only access this hike when Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is open. This drive is closed during the winter; usually November through May, depending on the weather.
The Alpine Lakes Loop trail starts at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, inside the Great Basin National Park in Nevada. It is right before the Wheeler Peak campground. The trailhead is directly across the street from a spacious, paved parking lot. The Alpine Lakes Loop shares the same trailhead as the Sky Island Forest, Bristlecone, Glacier, and Wheeler Peak Summit Trail.
We did the Alpine Lakes Loop trail as part of the bigger loop by combining it with the Bristlecone to Glacier Trail. Because of this, we did this loop counterclockwise. Since it is a loop, you can go either way.
As mentioned above, the Alpine Lakes Loop shares the same trailhead with a few other trails. There is a big informational sign at the trailhead with a trail map and detailed info for each hike. After leaving the main trailhead. We quickly crossed over a small wooden bridge spanning a grassy creek. Once crossing over this bridge, we came to our first fork. Here, whether you want to do the Alpine Lakes Loop clockwise or counter-clockwise, you’ll need to go right. Going straight (left) will take you through the ADA trail Sky Island Forest.
After turning right at the first fork, we quickly came to our second fork. Here, there are two big informational signs, giving hikers information about each hike it represents: Alpine Lakes Loop and Bristlecone to Glacier. Going right will start your Alpine Lakes Loop trail counter-clockwise. If you go left, you can either start the Alpine Lakes Loop trail clockwise or continue to Bristlecone Grove and Glacier. Once again, we’re going right.
Once we left the second fork, the trail continued its slow ascent. Even though the climb is not that bad, we were both breathing heavily due to the high altitude. It’s crazy how much of a difference the high altitude makes. If you’re a flatlander like us, make sure to hike with caution, just in case of altitude sickness.
The Alpine Lakes Loop trail becomes more rocky. There are several big switchbacks to ease the climb. At about 0.4 miles, we started to get the views of Wheeler Peak, towering above. The views of Wheeler Peak become better as the Alpine Lakes Loop trail weaves in and out of the dense pine and aspen forest to open meadows. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. We saw some turkeys here. They reminded us of the turkeys we saw at Baker Creek Loop.
At around 0.8 miles, we came to our third junction. This time, go straight (left) to stay on the Alpine Lakes Loop trail toward Stella Lakes. A short distance after the third junction, we came to our fourth junction. Once again, go straight to Stella Lake, unless you want to attempt to summit Wheeler Peak. There are many junctions on this hike; however, they all have very clear signage, so you won’t get lost.
This part of the Alpine Lakes Loop trail is also beautiful, with the tall peaks as its backdrop. About 500 ft from the fourth junction, we reached our first alpine lake, Stella Lake. Sitting at the top of the ridge, the smooth Stella Lake makes a stunning contrast against the barren, jagged ridge of the looming Wheeler Peak. There is a nice wooden bench where you can sit to enjoy the view. The views from Stella Lake are quite breathtaking, especially when you get closer to it. If you want to check it out, there is a small trail around the lake. Stella Lake and Teresa Lake are fed by snowmelt and occasional summer storms.
After we finished admiring the beautiful Stella Lake, we made our way through the forest toward Teresa Lake. The Alpine Lakes Loop trail once again ducked in and out of the pine forest, running along the base of Wheeler Peak. Halfway between Stella Lake and Teresa Lake, the Alpine Lakes Loop trail starts its slow descent. At 1.8 miles, we reached Teresa Lake. Depending on when you go, the water in Teresa Lake can be low. Unlike the clear water of Stella Lake, the water at Teresa Lake is cloudy.
The views of Teresa Lake got better the further we hiked on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail. After leaving Teresa Lake, the Alpine Lakes Loop trail continues downhill back to the trailhead. It was a short distance before we reached our 5th junction. Here, if you’re ready to go back to the trailhead, go left. If you’re up for extending your hike to the Bristlecone Grove or to the Glacier, go right. We went right here because we were doing the longer loop. If you decided to turn left and go back to the car, it is another 0.5 miles of downhill hike.
The Alpine Lakes Loop trail is a wonderful hike to acclimate to that high altitude. If you love hikes like this, check out the hikes in Mammoth Lakes. We love Sky Meadow Trail, Duck Lake Pass Trail, Crystal Lake, and Valentine Lake.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While at it, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
This is Vy's favorite hiking bag! It has tons of room for snacks and water!
It's always good to bring a GPS tracker with you. We use the Garmin inReach.
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
If you tend to have foot blisters on hikes, get this! We use this all the time.
These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
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Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
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