seg_id: elbow_summit
seg_order: 4
New Fork-Doubletop-Palmer Loop
Elbow Lake Basin to Summit Lake
max distance: 5.00distance type: (One-Way)
0.0 miles at Junction Shannon Pass Trail (10,950-ft.><br /> 1.9 miles at Elbow Lake Basin Overlook (10,880-ft.)<br /> 3.8 miles at Crossing of Elbow Creek (10,250-ft.)<br /> 4.25 miles at Crossing of Pine Creek (10,155-ft.)<br /> 5.0 mile at Junction Doubletop Mtn Trail at Summit Lake (10,330-ft.)
hike difficulty: moderatethumb_photo_fID: 503
thumb_photo_altText: Elbow Lake Basin to Summit Lake
country code: US
state code: WY
region code: wy_ww
basecamp1: New Fork Lakes
basecamp2: Elkhart Park
seg description:
From the junction of the Highline and Shannon Pass trails at the head of the Elbow Lake Basin, follow the Highline as it descends to the basin and then wanders through a stunning landscape of small meadows growing amid ice-polish rock outcroppings and erratic boulders. Massive Elbow Lake, along with a collection of smaller lakes and tarns, lie nestled in rocky bowls.
Bow Mountain (13,020-ft.), Mount Arrowhead (12,972-ft.), American Legion Peak (13,205-ft.) and Henderson Peak (13,115-ft.), along with the summits of the high peaks rising along the Continental Divide, dominate the view to the east. Mount Oeneis (12,232-ft.) and Sky Pilot Peak (12,129-ft.) tower above the basin to the north while Stoud Peak (12,198-ft.) and Mount Whitecap (13,020-ft.) are seen to the northwest. Elbow Peak (11,948-ft.) fills the skyline to the south.
At the foot of the basin the path climbs atop a knoll with a panoramic viewpoint (10,880-ft.) overlooking the Elbow Lake basin at 1.9 miles. Beyond the overlook the trail descends on moderate grades through rocky meadows to a shin-deep crossing of Eblow Creek. Late in the season you can keep your feet dry by rock-hopping across the channel. Here views open to Upper Twin Lake to the north where you will find a few nice campsites among the Whitebark Pines.
The trail now heads west, skirting the south side of a small tarn and then reaching the north end of Pass Lake (10,495-ft.) at 3.2 miles where it crosses the outlet stream. The path now curves to the right (north-northwest) as it climbs over a low knoll and then wanders by two small tarns set in meadows amid rocky knolls scattered with trees.
A short distance past the second tarn the trail descends steep switchback through trees to a wood bridge spanning Elbow Creek at 3.8 miles. The creek, draining Twin Lakes, tumbles down a gully choked with boulders.
The trail now follows an undulating course through trees to a crossing of Pine Creek at 4.25 miles. During periods of high water wade the creek. Otherwise keep your feet dry by rock-hopping across the stream.
Follow the trail as it ascends from the drainage and heads northwest. Soon the trees give way to meadows as the path crosses a minor stream and then climbs over a low rise where views open to Summit Lake (10,324-ft.), a shimmering expanse of water set amid meadows and surrounded by rugged peaks.
Reach the southwestern end of Summit Lake at 4.8 miles. Here you will see a trail heading right (east) along the lake’s southern shore. This trail leads to some scenic, albeit exposed, campsites above the east side of the lake. The trail now traverses the lake’s western shore. Pass a junction with a trail heading left (southwest) toward Trapper Lake at 4.9 miles. A short distance beyond reach the junction with the Doubletop Mountain trail, signed for Palmer Lake, at 5.0 miles.
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