Barren Lake via Shadow Lake and Big Sandy Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a difficult one way trail in Bridger Wilderness Area.

This trail goes by Barren Lake, Texas Lake, and Texas Pass. This hike would be part of a thru hike backpacking trip, or a day hike round-trip when base camped nearby. This trail section has stunning views of the Cirque of the Towers area popular with climbers and goes over Texas Pass. The North side of Texas Pass is very steep and rocky.

Getting Started

As noted, this could be a day hike, but combined with a backpack trip to base camp nearby. To get to Shadow Lake sitting just below 10,400 ft, take the Big Sandy trail from Big Sandy parking lot for about 1 mile, then at the first trail junction (Fremont trail) go left following signs to Dads and Marms Lakes, continuing direction Texas Pass. Shadow Lake is a very scenic spot for a base camp, with views of beautiful spires and the lake with plenty of camping spots around. To get to the lake, there is a short access trail off the main trail. From Big Sandy parking lot to Shadow lake it is about 11 miles over rolling terrain with an elevation gain of nearly 1500 ft.

Taking Children

To access this hike, backpacking in to a remote lake is necessary and strenuous.