Tenmile Lakes Trail - Anaconda

Length: 2.5 miles to the lower lake

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Begins: Off of Forest Road 2492

Trail Ends: Lower Tenmile Lake

Access to the trailhead is via Forest Service logging roads through the Mt. Haggin area. Many of the roads are native surfaced and generally in poor condition. High clearance vehicles are recommended due to drainage dips as they become slippery when wet due to the clay surface. The trailhead is marked with a sign showing the trail. Follow the rock cairn, turn to the left after the cairn, cross a small dry draw then climb through a recent clear-cut where the trail reenters the timber. The trail is easy to follow once you enter the timber.

The Tenmile Lakes Trail (730) is a steady uphill climb for approximately 1.5 miles through a dense stand of lodgepole pine low on the slope and grading to lush whitebark pine and grouse wortle-berry forest near the ridge. It levels out in a rocky ridge for .5 mile and descends rapidly to lower Tenmile Lake. Below lays the valley of Tenmile Creek with its large boulders and the meandering creek through a lush meadow. The trail then takes you to the tip of the southernmost lake, which has abundant fish. It continues the southwest side of the lake until it crosses the inlet stream and heads uphill to the next lake which is larger and more scenic. There you will find the remains of a burned cabin with many old remnants of metal and glass. The trail turns into an obscure footpath up to the third lake, which is easily found by following the outlet stream. The third lake is the largest of the Tenmile Lakes and very scenic with boulder fields cascading along the shore.

There are campsites at the lower two lakes and fish. The upper lake and basin is on private land so it is best to camp at the lower lakes. The upper basin contains remains of old mining activity but you must look around to find it. Mountain goats can be seen on the lofty peaks surrounding the basin as well as deer and elk grazing in the numerous wet alpine meadows in the basin.

USGS Map: Mt. Evans, Mt. Haggin