Wyoming Hiked: Gap & Shelf Lakes

I can’t say I’ve really explored this late in the year in the Snowy Range! Wanting to kick off my 39th birthday with some sort of hike, though being a day late, I headed up early to Lewis Lake Trailhead. Today I would explore a new-to-me trail to Shelf Lakes. This trail spurs off of the trail at North Gap Lake. Back in 2020 I hiked Gap Lakes as part of a big loop around Browns Peak, so I’d be repeating a bit of the terrain – however, with this being my favorite place on earth, I really can’t complain about some repeat scenery!

The Lewis Lake Trailhead was still shaded in my early morning arrival, and I kicked myself for completely forgetting hunting season was in full swing until I saw the Snowies crawling with hunters. Thankfully my 66North hardshell jacket is orange, saving the day! My birthday is the first day of a bull elk rifle season in many areas of Wyoming, so you’d think I’d connect the dots… but then again, I am not use to hiking in this area this late in the year! (I have a blaze orange bike helmet I wear in the fall while mountain biking, but I’m slow to figure out how to handle hiking…)

I headed north on the trail that heads to Gaps Lakes and Lost Lake. Frost covered plants in rocks in shaded areas, but I soon found myself stripping off layers. The masses had not arrived yet, so I enjoyed the solitude (in fact, I wouldn’t see anybody else until I was on my return leg at North Gap Lake).

I was making quick work of this high altitude hike (the trailhead is over 10,700 feet), and soon arrived at South Gap Lake. I skirted the rocky shore, and began climbing the short, but steep, “Gap” that gives the two lakes the namesake. The Gap is really more of a baby saddle connecting the massive ridge of Medicine Bow Peak and Browns Peak. This is the high point of the hiking, topping 11,000 feet before dropping down steeply to North Gap Lake.

Still in the shade, I picked my way carefully along the boulders of the shoreline. I’m not sure if there is really a better trail, as I just always boulder hop right next to the water. Once you finally hit solid ground, the trail to Shelf Lake spurs off to the right, and I began ascending it.

Shelf Lakes are a series of alpine lakes that sit on the northern edge of Browns Peak, a broad peak smooshed down by the weight of glaciers that tops out at 11,722 feet in elevation. I’ve been saying for a few years I wanted to climb it, but alas, that would have to wait for another day. (I must admit, the weather was GORGEOUS and there was little wind, making me look at Medicine Bow Peak and wondering if I should’ve opted for a summit climb on this day.)

I kept following the trail as the sun rose higher, until it started to fade and then just petered out at the easternmost lake. I took this as an opportunity to have a quick snack, and then began my return trip.

North Gap Lake had a couple of groups preparing to fish as I arrived back, signaling the end to my solitude (though compared to summer, it was nothing in crowd terms!). I made quick work of the jaunt over the Gap to South Gap Lake, and the descent back to the car.

Less than three hours later, I was back at the car, and fulfilled for a great late-fall morning in the alpine! I enjoyed this hike, as it was not too rigorous. To boot, it gave me a lot of ideas for quickie overnight backpacking trips! Even better, the mileage on AllTrails was nearly identical to what my Garmin gave me… since when does AllTrails actually have accurate mileage?!

Details:
Date Hiked: October 16, 2022
Trailhead: Lewis Lake
Total Mileage: 6.22 miles (Garmin Vivoactive 4s/Strava)
Elevation Gain: 833 feet
Time: 2 hours 42 minutes
Weather: Sunny, calm winds, but a bit chilly
Trail Conditions: Dry or occasional mud
Special Considerations: A $5 day use fee is required at the Lewis Lake Trailhead. America the Beautiful and other federal passes are accepted. The road to access trailhead is not plowed and must naturally melt out, meaning it is inaccessible from mid-fall to early-to-mid-July on average. The trailhead, picnic area, and nearby campground are heavily used, and expect parking to be full in the summer months.