Lake Reflection Trail

Lake Reflection Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from Road’s End, following Bubbs Creek through Junction Meadow and East Lake to Lake Reflection. The mapped corridor is about 18.5 miles one way, or 36.9 miles round trip, with roughly 6,400 feet of cumulative climbing. It rises from about 5,000 feet to around 10,000 feet. Allow about 20 hours of hiking and plan it as a multi-day backpack, not a day hike. This entry follows the Junction Meadow route; shorter East Lake mileage describes a different turnaround or branch, so compare route lines before relying on a distance.

The trail leaves the Bubbs Creek trailhead at Road’s End and climbs steeply at first, then settles into a steady grade. It follows the creek through a long canyon approach with occasional openings toward the cliffs. Sphinx Creek Junction, about four miles in, is the first permitted campsite identified for this corridor. Junction Meadow comes roughly 12 miles along the mapped line. It is an open clearing framed by cliffs and marks the shift from the creek approach to the rougher upper route. Save energy here; most of the climb and the final route-finding remain ahead.

At Junction Meadow, the route crosses Bubbs Creek and takes a switchbacking connector toward East Lake. The crossing can become hazardous when water is high, so check current park guidance and do not assume conditions from an old report. Beyond the meadow, the tread grows steeper, rockier and less traveled. East Lake is a natural stopping point and the destination of a shorter outing; this version continues beyond it. The lake and surrounding peaks make the clearest on-route photo opportunity before the final push.

From East Lake, the route continues through steep, high-country terrain to Lake Reflection. The mapped Lake Reflection segments are minimally developed, and route accounts describe faint tread near the upper lake. Progress can be slow where the path fades among granite, talus and creek features; use a current map and expect to navigate carefully. Lake Reflection sits in a high granite basin, about 10,000 feet above sea level. The final approach is the most uncertain footing and way-finding of the hike, not a maintained lakeside stroll.

Start at the Bubbs Creek trailhead at Road’s End. Overnight travel in this wilderness requires an NPS wilderness permit, issued at the Road’s End Permit Station. Ordinary pets are prohibited on park trails; service animals are allowed. The route is remote, high-altitude and long, with a serious stream crossing and a minimally developed upper section. Check NPS alerts and trail conditions before leaving; parking capacity and trailhead amenities were not verified.