Wapiti Lake Trail

Wapiti Lake Trail is a 30.6-mile out-and-back from Chittenden Bridge Picnic Area to backcountry camps near Wapiti Lake. The map shows the one-way corridor; the walk returns by the same route. A route estimate puts the full walk at about 12.5 to 13.5 hours, with roughly 3,100 feet of gain, so this is a hard, high-elevation outing. The named endpoint is a camp area near the lake, not necessarily the shore. Published distances vary slightly, and the mapped line measures about 16.4 miles one way; check the park's backcountry map against the exact campsite you plan to use.

The park's description names forests, meadows, lakes and backcountry thermal basins, but does not break the walk into mile-by-mile sections. At Wapiti Lake Trailhead (4K7), several routes branch out toward Howard Eaton, Clear Lake–Ribbon Lake, Sour Creek and Wrangle Lake. Follow the Wapiti Lake line at junctions, and stay on established tread around thermal ground. The separate Clear Lake–Ribbon Lake route is listed as a four-mile return from its junction with Wapiti Lake Trail; that is a different outing, not the distance for this hike.

Begin at Chittenden Bridge Picnic Area. The trailhead has a vault toilet and information kiosk. Food, drinking water and parking capacity were not confirmed, so plan those details before leaving developed areas. Pets are not allowed on the trail; ask the park about service-animal rules.