Northern Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

From Wonderland Trail, head north along the shores of the Carbon River. Eventually you'll reach a junction with Northern Loop Spur, turn right here. Then begins a series of steep switchbacks, climbing 3,000 vertical feet, mostly in cool forest. Pass Yellowstone Cliffs campsite, with views of Tyee Peak and the Yellowstone Cliffs. Continue onto to Windy Gap, at an elevation of 5,600 feet.

A few hundred yards beyond the top of Windy Gap, a side trail leads to Natural Bridge, a short 1.75 mile round trip.

The Northern Loop trail descends 1,400 feet in two miles from Windy Gap to a camp at Lake James, at 4,370 feet.

From Lake James, the route drops to a crossing of the West Fork of the White River, then climbing 2,500 feet towards Grand Park. Along the climb at 4.5 miles, a side trail leads to Fire Creek Camp. At 6 miles from Lake James is a junction with Grand Park Trail. Continue right for another 3 miles to a camp in lower Berkeley Park. From Berkeley Park Camp, climb 1 mile through meadows to a final junction with the Wonderland Trail.