Adventure to Lonesome Mountain
Lonesome Mountain rises majestically above the already high Beartooth Plateau. The 11,400-foot summit beckons Beartooth adventurers, but the mountain’s slopes are a challenging boulder scramble. From the top, enjoy rugged scenes of the alternating rocky peaks and alpine lakes of the entire Beartooth Mountain Range.
Intro
Lonesome Mountain is a familiar landmark from the popular trails near Island Lake, but the access trail has no sign and is unmarked on most maps. To reach Lonesome Mountain, park at the Island Lake Trailhead and follow the established path around the west shores of Island Lake and Night Lake. At mile 2.6, look carefully for a trail junction and turn right on the minor trail that seems to fade into the grass as it passes between two ponds. After the ponds, the trail is well-established and makes a beeline for Lonesome Mountain. A highlight of this section is the 200-foot-high rock wall at mile 3.2. Look and listen for the adorable Yellow-Bellied Marmots who live in the rocks here. Next, follow the trail along the entire eastern shore of Becker Lake and then choose a strategic spot to climb the south face of Lonesome Mountain. This last section of the hike has no established trail except for a few cairns which may be hard to follow in the endless similar rocks. Hikers can choose the best route to the top, but expect that it may take extra time to navigate the boulders. Once on top, the true summit is just 100 yards to the north after a short dip back down.
What Makes It Great
In addition to the gorgeous views from the top of the mountain, most of the trail passes along the shores of quiet alpine lakes reflecting the blue sky. Day hikers can dream about future campsites on the route, because once along the shores of beautiful Becker Lake, it’s almost painful to leave so soon.
Who is Going to Love It
The established trail to the base of Lonesome Mountain is a beautiful single-track path with less than 300 feet of climbing from the trailhead. Hikers of all abilities can enjoy this section, and there are many beautiful lakeside spots for lunch before turning around. However, the summit climb can be treacherous because the slopes are covered with boulders and rock crevices, so this off-trail section is best for experienced hikers who enjoy bouldering.
Directions, Parking & Regulations
Lonesome Mountain is accessible from both the Island Lake Trailhead and the Beartooth Lake Trailhead. However, many people prefer to avoid the wet and swampy east end Beartooth Lake and choose to start at Island Lake instead. To reach the Island Lake Trailhead from Cody, travel north on WY-120 for 17 miles and turn left on the Chief Joseph Highway (WY-296). In 45 miles, turn right on the Beartooth Highway (WY-212). Continue for 12 miles and turn left at the Forest Service sign for Island Lake. In a quarter mile, turn right and follow the dirt road to the trailhead parking area. Vault toilets and a trailhead kiosk are available here. This hike enters the High Lakes Wilderness Study Area (Wyoming) and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (Montana). No fees or permits are required, but wilderness regulations apply to hikers and overnight campers. There is no cell phone service along the trail, but there is a signal at the top of Lonesome Mountain. In the Beartooths, afternoon thunderstorms can develop on any given summer day, so it is best to be off the summit as early as possible.
Difficulty: 5
Time to Complete: 6 hours
Distance: 13 miles round trip
Seasonality: Summer, early Fall
Fees/Permit: No
Dog Friendly: On Leash (summit boulders may be impassable for small dogs)
Destination Highlights: Iconic mountain climb in the Beartooths