Leg Lake Out and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fishing · Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is not the Cirque of the Towers. If you're looking for a quick overnight trip into the alpine with plenty of solitude, this is a great out and back trip to consider. The path is rough and hard to follow as it steeply climbs through the woods, but quickly brings you to Leg Lake in about 2 to 4 hours. Good camping can be found on the south west end of Leg Lake.

Keep a close eye on the trail, especially after the last trail junction. If you loose the trail, just keep heading directly upstream meandering around boulders (which may involve some scrambling).

Roaring Fork Creek, including Leg Lake, are part of the drainage system that provides drinking water to the City of Lander. Please consider packing out your poo.

There is plenty of car camping between Fry Lake and Worthen Reservoir if arriving at the trailhead the night before.

Start at the Stough Creek Lakes Trailhead near the Worthen Meadows Reservoir Campground. There should be plenty of parking, but the parking lot is full there are spots along the side of the road within a 1/4 mile of the trailhead. Find the start of the Stough Creek Lakes Trail #702 (NOT the trailhead adjacent to the bathroom) and walk a consistent uphill grade for 0.5 miles, or until you reach Roaring Fork Lake. Turn left at the lake and go around its south edge. The trail follows Roaring Fork Creek for about 1.5 miles, or until you reach a second meadow seen on your right. Here you'll find a trail junction; take the right path and continue to climb the trail through more trees for another 2.5 miles. Keep your eyes on the trail as it fades in and out between some technical sections of meandering around boulders.

Once at the Leg Lake you'll see 1,000 foot walls rising above the lake. Sometimes there are local climbers on the obvious wall that resembles a wave and the walls just to the left of it.

You can find good camping on the south east side of the lake, or between the wave-shaped wall and the lake. The camping spots are small, but grassy and flat. There are no trees on this side so you'll need to either bring a bear canister or find a large boulder to hang your food from.