Alpine Lakes Loop Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Some mildly uneven terrain, loose rocks, and gravel. The vertical granite slabs of the low steps leading back to the parking lot jut up a few inches and are easy to trip on.

When done counterclockwise from the Bristlecone Parking Lot, the trail takes you through a forest to the first lake: Stella Lake. This lake is very scenic, offering great views of Wheeler Peak and beautiful colors in the lake. The trail then continues for another mile through the sparse high elevation forest to a small creek that feeds Teresa Lake. Along the banks of the creek there are many flowering plants (known as Shooting Stars) making this a great place for photography and to take in the sounds of water flowing and the wind through the pines.

From there the trail continues along the bank of Teresa Lake, offering more views of Wheeler Peak. There are some weathered downed pines that offer a great place to sit and rest while taking in the scenery of the lake with Wheeler Peak in the background. From there the the trail descends back into the forest and meets up with the Bristlecone Grove Trail. There are some low steps as it leads back to the parking lot.

Shooting stars, primrose, spruce, aspen, timber pines, as well as Clark's nutcracker and many other birds.