The Hike to Carlton Lake

The Carlton Lake Trail (Trail #1311) is rated as hard, covering approximately 14.8 km (about 9 miles) round trip with roughly 879 meters of elevation gain, taking most hikers 6 to 6.5 hours. The trail climbs steadily through the burn zone with a moderate grade for the first four miles, reaching Vista Point — where sweeping views of Carlton Lake's forested shores first appear. From there, it descends about three-quarters of a mile to the lake itself.↗↗

The landscape tells a story of disturbance and resilience. The first miles pass through young lodgepole saplings and grey alder regrowth mixed with tall fireweed. Higher up, the trail re-enters a dramatic burn zone of charred trees and stumps, punctuated by scattered clusters of alpine larch regrowth — a species found only in a handful of high mountain ranges across the inland Northwest. Above the lake, whitebark pine is also recovering along the upper trail levels.↗

Beyond the lake, there is no constructed trail to Lolo Peak's summit. The ascent involves rock hopping, scrambling through boulder fields, and navigating snowmelt seeps. Experienced hikers report using cairns and tree landmarks to find their way. From the top, the view stretches across a continuous line of snowcapped Bitterroot peaks, south into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and over the valleys of Missoula and the Bitterroot.↗↗↗

The Lake and Its Basin

Carlton Lake is a small alpine lake held in place by a modest earthen dam on its eastern end. Hikers cross the dam to reach the lake shore. The water is cold and clear, with inflows from a stream tumbling down the headwall that spills over moss-covered boulders into the lake. On late summer days, the water level drops, revealing the inlet more dramatically. Visitors have described the lake as beautiful, though in some years it runs low. Nearby Little Carlton Lake and McClain Lake sit in the same basin.↗↗↗

What makes this basin truly special is the sphagnum moss meadow on the headwall above the lake's west end. A lush green fen fed by meandering streams, bordered by fir and larch trees and set against huge boulders along Lantern Ridge, this is a rare high-elevation wetland ecosystem. Scientists conduct ongoing surveys here for western hoary marmots, pikas, and northern bog lemmings — species sensitive to warming climate.↗

Fishing and Wildlife

Carlton Lake is a known fishing destination. Local streams in the Lolo Peak area support cutthroat trout and threatened bull trout. Hikers who reach the lake can use it as a water source with a filter if continuing to the summit. The surrounding landscape hosts a remarkable array of wildlife: deer and elk, black bear, mountain lion, coyote, wolf, wolverine, lynx, fisher, hoary marmots, moose, mountain goat, golden eagle, goshawk, grouse, and pileated woodpecker. The area supports one of the biggest elk herds on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley.↗↗

A Landscape with Deep Roots

These lands are traditionally inhabited by and still used by the Séliš (Salish), Qĺispe' (Pend d'Oreille or Kalispel), Ktunaxa (Kootenai), and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Tribes. The Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area, which encompasses part of the basin, is recognized by forestry scientists as one of the most important ecological sites in the region — home to a unique continuous forest of alpine larch at approximately 8,000 feet, thriving on a well-developed soil mantle where surrounding sites are heavily glaciated rock. The Friends of Lolo Peak organization advocates for expanded Wilderness protection of the lake basin and surrounding ridges, recognizing it as one of a diminishing number of high alpine ecosystems providing wildlife connectivity between the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the South Fork Lolo Creek Recommended Wilderness.↗

Visitor Tips

The best months to hike Carlton Lake are July through September, when snow has melted from the upper trail and the lake is accessible. Late spring and early summer trips often encounter significant snow cover above 6,000 feet. There is no drinking water available at the trailhead or along the trail, so bring at least 3 liters per person. A water filter allows you to refill at the lake if continuing onward. After the 2017 fire, the lower sections of trail offer very little shade, making afternoon heat a real consideration. Mosquitoes at the lake can be intense in August, according to hikers who camped there. The trail is open to dogs, though some areas may be off-leash.↗↗

The trail is closed to all motorized vehicles. Parking fills up on summer weekends — hikers report arriving before dawn to secure a spot. Blow-downs from windstorms are common on portions of the trail, though most are passable. The Forest Road to the trailhead is suitable for cars in good weather conditions but can be rough. Check Lolo National Forest alerts for seasonal road closures before planning your trip.↗↗