Photo Pass Trail

Dogs Off-leash

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

This path to Photo Pass is good, obvious trail as it steepens and leaves the alpine meadows for the final rocky climb to the pass. Before that in the alpine meadows, it is primarily marked by cairns, although there is some discernable trail. This is a wide open area, so if you're not sure, just look around and take the path of least resistance in the direction you want to go.

The run to Photo Pass starts in the alpine meadows along Bewmark Lake Trail. There is no trail sign for it, and it is difficult to find a specific starting point. Follow the lakeshore north to its inlet creek, then follow the inlet creek upstream for about a quarter of a mile to where the vegetation is thin. Cross the creek here, keeping an eye out for cairns. Some are small, and some are just a boulder that looks out of place on another even bigger boulder.

After crossing the creek, keep looking for cairns as you watch your map and GPX track. Keep heading in the direction indicated by these aids. Eventually, they will lead you to an obvious trail as the meadows start to give way to the final steep, rocky climb.

Patiently make this last push to the pass to sit on the Continental Divide, take a break, have some snacks, and admire the views on both sides.

Rocky, grassy alpine meadows that abound with summer wildflowers below the final steep push to the pass. The final climb and pass are almost barren, rocky and scree covered terran.