East Inlet Trail

Sometimes in the early summer, the lakes rise high enough to cover sections of trail higher up in the route.

The trail begins with Adams Falls and climbs steadily up through the valley. A great intro to backpacking or a lovely out and back on its own, this trail has a few steeper parts. Close to the trailhead, it's a much lower grade.

Through the entire valley, there are great views of the river, mountains, and lakes, but some of the best views are seen if you travel past the maintained trail boundary to the end of the valley. Follow the river past Fourth Lake and then hang a right to get to Fifth Lake, the meltwater of which makes the river you've followed since the trailhead. There's a lot of bushwacking, but the final views are definitely worth it!

Columbine, Glacier lily, and Ponderosa pine are scattered about this trail. In the large meadows, you can occasionally get a glimpse of a moose. Farther up in the valley, there are pika, marmot, deer, squirrels and foxes. (Keep a cautious eye out for foxes; they've become very used to people and will get close enough that you have to scare them away so they don't stick their nose in your oatmeal bowl.)