Stella Lake

Stella Lake is a high alpine lake on Great Basin's Alpine Lakes Loop, tucked beneath Wheeler Peak, also known as Doso Doyabi. It's a hike from the Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes trailhead, not a pullout on the scenic drive. The full loop is the better plan: it's 2.7 miles, climbs 440 feet, and takes about 1.5 to 3 hours. Stella sits near the midpoint, so turning back means repeating much of the same trail instead of saving much walking.

The trailhead is already at 9,890 feet. Give yourself time to adjust if you're coming from lower elevation, and carry water: there's no potable water along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Pit toilets are at the shared Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes trailhead. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes seasonally; when it's closed, reach the loop from Lehman Creek Trail, and expect opening dates to shift with weather. The loop isn't accessible, and pets aren't allowed on park trails; trained service animals are permitted.

The loop moves between open alpine meadows and conifer forest, with Wheeler Peak and steep cliffs rising above the route. It's a high-country hike rather than a quick lakeside stop, and visitors mention rocky footing. The park warns that afternoon thunderstorms and fast weather changes are common concerns at this elevation, so check the forecast and start with enough time to finish the loop.

The South Snake Range was shaped by alpine glaciers during the Pleistocene. The last glaciers reached down to about 9,200 feet, when the regional climate averaged roughly 8 degrees colder than today. Stella Lake sits within that larger glacially carved mountain landscape.

Wheeler Peak is the main backdrop from the water's edge. On a calm surface, leave some lake in the foreground to catch its reflection; it won't look the same every visit, and some hikers have found the water low or frozen. This is a photo stop worth the walk when the light and conditions line up.