Baker Lake

Q: Will I see mountain goats?

Probably yes, especially on the cirque rim. They're habituated to humans but territorial. Observe from 25 yards; they may approach if they smell salt on your clothing or backpack.

Q: Can I reach the lake if there's still snow on the trail?

Depends on depth and your skill. Early June often has significant snow on the upper 1–2 miles. Microspikes or crampons are recommended. If postholing more than shin-deep, turn back; the trail is obscured and you may wander off-route.

Q: Is the 6-mile distance one-way or round-trip?

One-way. It is a 12-mile round-trip hike with 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Plan 5–7 hours for round-trip depending on fitness and rest stops.

Q: What's the best time to avoid crowds?

Visit on a weekday (Mon–Wed) in June or September. July and August weekends are peak; expect 20–30 hikers on the trail during those times.

Type

Glacial Lake

Accessibility

Scramble required. Steep trail with significant elevation gain. Fitness requirement: moderate-to-strenuous. Not accessible for wheelchairs or mobility-limited visitors.

Best Season

July through September. June can have lingering snow at the trailhead and on upper sections. October sees early snow. Winter access is not feasible.

Busiest Season

July and August, weekends

Features

Glacial cirque basin, alpine lake reflecting surrounding peaks, rocky shoreline, seasonal snow coverage, U-shaped glacially-carved valley approach

Elevation

10,200 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

The broad basin before you, carved by ancient glaciers, cradles Baker Lake—a mirror of rock and water 10,200 feet up in Great Basin's highest reaches. The lake's rocky shores are often rimmed with lingering snow, a testament to the cirque's harsh alpine climate and the slow melt of winter's burden. Standing here, you're seeing what a Pleistocene glacier left behind: a U-shaped trough and a basin deep enough to hold meltwater year-round, even as the mountains around it climb higher into thinner air.

Quick Facts

Type

Glacial Lake

Elevation

10,200 ft

Access

Scramble required. Steep trail with significant elevation gain. Fitness requirement: moderate-to-strenuous. Not accessible for wheelchairs or mobility-limited visitors.

Main Features

Glacial cirque basin, alpine lake reflecting surrounding peaks, rocky shoreline, seasonal snow coverage, U-shaped glacially-carved valley approach

What You'll See

A large alpine lake with clear, cold water reflecting surrounding peaks and cirque walls. Rocky shores dotted with boulders. Snow lingering on exposed north-facing banks into early summer. Sparse alpine vegetation around the basin. Panoramic views down the Baker Creek valley toward the desert below.

What Makes It Special

One of the largest alpine lakes in Great Basin National Park. Sits in a textbook cirque—a glacially-excavated bowl at the headwaters of Baker Creek drainage. The lake's presence is evidence of Pleistocene glaciation; few other lakes in the range persist at this elevation.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (7–9 a.m.) for calm water, clear reflections, and alpenglow on surrounding peaks. Afternoon brings wind and thunderstorm risk.

Safety Considerations

This is a high-altitude alpine destination (10,200 ft). Oxygen availability is reduced; altitude sickness is possible for unacclimated visitors. Weather changes rapidly at elevation—afternoon thunderstorms and snow squalls occur even in summer. Drop-offs around the cirque rim are significant; stay on established trail. Hypothermia risk is high; water temperature is near freezing year-round. Wildlife (mountain goats, bighorn sheep) may be present; maintain 25 yards distance.

Visitor Tips

Arrive early (dawn) to secure parking and experience calm water.
Acclimate at lower elevation the day before; altitude affects most sea-level visitors.
Bring extra layers—temperature can drop 20°F with cloud cover.
Watch for afternoon thunderstorms; be off the exposed ridge by 2 p.m.
Bring a water filter; the lake is cold and pristine but filtering is safer for overnight trips.
Mountain goats are habituated to hikers; observe from 25 yards and never feed or approach.
Late June often has snow on the upper 1–2 miles of trail; microspikes or crampons may be necessary.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Glacial Lake

Elevation: 10,200 ft

Distance from Entrance: Approximately 14 miles from Great Basin Visitor Center via NV-488 to Baker Creek Trailhead; 6 miles uptrail to lake (12 miles round-trip hiking).

GPS: 38.957568,-114.30862

What Makes It Unique:

Water Feature Details

Size: One of the largest mountain lakes in Great Basin National Park; exact surface area and depth unknown from official data

Fish Species: Alpine lake trout (species and stocking status should be verified with NPS before visit).

Geology

Formation Type: Cirque Lake

Scientific Interest:

Classic U-shaped glacial valley (Baker Creek drainage) leading to a terminal cirque. Visible glacial striations on cirque walls. Evidence of three Pleistocene glaciation cycles in Great Basin. Alpine tundra ecosystem; plant communities reflect harsh climate. Potential for paleoclimate research (sediment cores from lake floor). Hydrological study site: alpine snowmelt dynamics.

Getting There

Directions:

From Great Basin Visitor Center, head north on NV-488 toward Baker Creek Trailhead. The Baker Lake Trail begins at Baker Creek Trailhead and ascends 6 miles to the lake. Elevation gain is approximately 2,500 feet over that distance. The trailhead access road is typically closed by snow November through mid-June; check road status before driving.

Access Type: Scramble required. Steep trail with significant elevation gain. Fitness requirement: moderate-to-strenuous. Not accessible for wheelchairs or mobility-limited visitors.

Road: Baker Creek Road (paved, maintained) leads to trailhead. Trailhead area has gravel parking.

Seasonal Access: Baker Creek Road typically open late May through October. Snow closure November–May. Winter access by snowshoe or ski (not maintained; advanced skill required).

Parking: Small pullout at Baker Creek Trailhead. Limited capacity (typically 5–8 vehicles). Fills quickly on summer weekends. No overflow parking.

Entry Fees: No separate entry fee. Great Basin National Park entrance is free as of 2026.

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Baker Lake Trail (6 miles to lake; continuation possible to cross-country routes toward Stella Lake and Teresa Lake).

Connecting Trails:

Upper trail connects to backcountry routes; check with NPS for current conditions. No maintained connector to other park trails from the lake itself.

Photography & Viewing

Photo Opportunities:

Morning reflections on the lake (7–9 a.m., calm water before wind). Sunrise alpenglow on surrounding peaks. Silhouettes of hikers against the cirque basin (late afternoon, into-the-sun shots). Snow-capped shores in early season.

Best Photo Spots:

Lake's center or southern shore for wide-angle shots of the cirque. Northern rim for backlighting. Foreground boulders frame mid-range compositions.

Sunrise/Sunset: Excellent. Alpine cirque provides 360-degree sky exposure. Sunrise: 5–6 a.m. in summer, alpenglow on eastern peaks. Sunset: 8–9 p.m., lengthy twilight due to elevation and latitude.

Stargazing: Excellent. High elevation (10,200 ft), minimal light pollution (Great Basin Dark Sky Park nearby), clear alpine air. Milky Way is prominent mid-summer.

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pikas, marmots, alpine songbirds.

Best Wildlife Viewing: Early morning (7–8 a.m.) for goats and sheep on cirque rim. Pikas active throughout the day in rocky areas.

Seasonal Information

Best Season: July through September. June can have lingering snow at the trailhead and on upper sections. October sees early snow. Winter access is not feasible.

Best Times: Weekday mornings in June or September for fewer crowds. June offers longer daylight but potential snow; September brings stable weather and fewer people.

Road Opens: Typically late May; exact date depends on snowpack. Contact Great Basin Visitor Center for current road status.

Busiest: July and August, weekends

Parking Fills: No established parking lot or day-use facility; parking is at Baker Creek Trailhead, which is small and fills during peak summer weekends (July–August, Saturday–Sunday).

Snow Until: Snow patches persist at the cirque rim and on north-facing banks through July in most years. Earlier summer visits (June) may encounter impassable snow on upper trail sections.

Weather:

Alpine exposure brings afternoon thunderstorms (June–September), especially 2–6 p.m. Temperature swings of 20–30°F between sun and shade. Wind increases with altitude. Early morning is most stable.

Activities

Fishing (Alpine lake trout (species and stocking status should be verified with NPS before visit).)
Swimming Allowed

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Stella Lake (adjacent cirque, 1 mile via cross-country route), Teresa Lake (another alpine cirque lake nearby), Wheeler Peak (13,063 ft, visible from lake), Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive (lower-elevation alternative for alpine views).

Nearby Services:

Baker, Nevada (20 miles) for gas, food, lodging. Last services before the trailhead.

Insider Tips

The cirque walls show glacial striations (scratches left by moving ice 10,000+ years ago); look at the north-facing wall at low angle for best visibility.
Early-morning wind is rare; plan major photography or fishing for 6–10 a.m.
The lake drains into Baker Creek; the waterfall below is viewable from the upper trail descent on the return.
Snow patches melt from south to north; the southern shore is usually snow-free 2 weeks before the northern rim.
Pikas (tiny alpine rabbits) call loudly from talus; their presence indicates good alpine ecosystem health.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Dirt trail, steep grades in sections, rocky terrain, no switchbacks for long stretches. Exposure on portions of upper trail. Elevation gain approximately 2,500 feet over 6 miles.

Family Friendly:

Suitable for families with strong hikers (kids 10+) and proper acclimatization. No crowds, minimal hazards if weather is stable. Altitude is the main challenge; younger children should have 1–2 days at mid-elevation to acclimate. The trail has no water sources; carry 3–4 liters per person. Exposure is moderate but real—hold hands on steeper sections, especially on descent.

Nearby Facilities:

Baker Creek Campground (5 miles downhill via road, developed campground with restrooms). Great Basin Visitor Center (14 miles, facilities, information).

Reviews

" Baker Lake is consistently praised by visitors who complete the hike. Most are impressed by the remote alpine setting, wildlife encounters, and the stark beauty of the cirque. The main complaint is altitude sickness in unprepared visitors and afternoon weather. Experienced backpackers and day hikers with good fitness rate the experience as excellent for solitude and geology."

FAQs

Is the water really that cold?

Yes. Alpine cirque lakes rarely warm above 50°F even in mid-summer. Hypothermia risk is real for immersion; wear a wetsuit or limit swimming to brief dips. Most visitors do not swim.

Will I see mountain goats?

Can I reach the lake if there's still snow on the trail?

Is the 6-mile distance one-way or round-trip?

What's the best time to avoid crowds?