Lakes Trail to Pear Lake

Lakes Trail to Pear Lake is a strenuous 12.8-mile out-and-back from Wolverton when you take the Watchtower branch and continue to Pear Lake. That figure counts the return along the same corridor. From the trailhead at about 7,280 feet, the route gains roughly 2,490 feet and reaches a 9,550-foot lake basin. Allow about seven to eight hours with rest and photo stops. The lower miles are forested; higher up, the shade gives way to open granite, alpine lakes and a wide view across the high country. It is a rewarding full-day hike if you are comfortable with a long climb and uneven footing.

The trail starts on the north side of the Wolverton parking area and climbs through forest, following the ridge above Wolverton Creek. After a small stream crossing, turn north at the Alta Peak and Mehrten Meadow junction. At about 2.1 miles, the Lakes Trail divides: the Watchtower branch goes straight ahead, while the Hump is the alternate. This description follows Watchtower. It reaches a granite overlook, then crosses about half a mile of narrow trail cut into a cliff above Marble Fork canyon. The exposure is real; the reward is a view down the canyon toward Tokopah Falls and across to the Tablelands. If that ledge would make you tense, take the Hump instead. It is shadier and avoids the cliff edge, though it adds roughly 200 feet of climbing. Whenever snow or ice is present, use the Hump; the Watchtower ledge is treacherous in those conditions.

The branches reunite before Heather Lake, which sits about 4.1 miles from Wolverton. The trail skirts the lake, then climbs over a low rise and drops toward Emerald Lake. Heather makes a substantial shorter outing on its own: about 8.2 miles round trip. Aster Lake lies in a granite bowl below the upper trail, with views of Mt. Silliman from the ridge. Emerald has a short shore spur among boulders and red firs. Overnight camping is not allowed at Heather or Aster; Emerald is the first designated campsite on the route.

Past the Emerald spur, the main trail climbs around a granite ridge, with Aster and the surrounding peaks opening below. It passes a spur to the Pear Lake ranger station, then climbs through rocky meadows and broken slabs into the Pear Lake basin. The grade eases near the north shore, where the lake sits in a glacially polished granite bowl beneath steep ridges; Alta Peak frames the far side. Take a few minutes to look back down the route before retracing your steps. At the Watchtower, frame the granite spire with the canyon and falls; at Pear Lake, include the pale shoreline rock so the basin’s scale reads in a photo.

Drive Wolverton Road to its end and park in the main lot; the Lakes Trail begins at the north side. The picnic area has parking, picnic tables and restrooms. Pets are prohibited on all park trails. Overnight backpacking requires a wilderness permit, and campers must use designated sites. The long ascent, high elevation and exposed Watchtower ledge are the reasons to choose your turnaround and branch before leaving the trailhead.