Broadwater Lake via Lake Fork Trail

Broadwater Lake via Lake Fork Trail is a moderate out-and-back on Forest Service Lake Fork Trail #2, following Lake Fork of Rock Creek to the open meadow at Broadwater's east end. It is about 7.5 miles round trip and takes about four hours for a typical walk with a stop at the water. Choose this turnaround for a substantial creek-and-mountain hike without continuing farther up the valley to Lost Lake or Sundance Pass.

The path leaves Lake Fork Trailhead 2 and climbs gradually west through forest near the creek. Around 1.2 miles, meadow openings give the first broad views of the Silver Run Plateau's high cliffs, with Thunder Mountain and Whitetail Peak at the head of the valley. A downed-tree opening around 2.4 miles gives another look at the rugged walls. By about 2.75 miles the trail runs closer to the creek, where a waterfall comes into view on the slope above.

At roughly 3.6 miles, take the short spur right to meadows beside Broadwater. Turn back here; the main trail continues beyond the lake toward longer Lake Fork destinations. The meadow is the payoff, with a west-facing view toward Peak 10,913 and Thunder Mountain. For a photo, keep the broad channel in the foreground and the mountains beyond it.

Broadwater is not a deep, enclosed basin. It spreads the creek into a broad, shallow-looking channel along the valley floor, so the grassy east-end meadow is part of the destination. Lake Fork occupies a glacial valley between the steep cliffs of the Silver Run and Hellroaring Plateaus; the views open and close as the trail alternates between trees and meadow.

Lake Fork Trailhead 2 is at the end of Lake Fork Road. The route is in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, so expect an undeveloped trail rather than services along the walk. The trailhead has a vault toilet and parking with space for horse trailers. Dogs may accompany hikers but must stay under control. This is bear country; carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible.