Walker Lake Trail
(Level 5)

This is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever been on, but it is not easy. The trail is about 10 miles long one way and gains around 2000 feet over that distance. So this isn’t going to be a day hike; it would be best to set aside a whole week to really enjoy this one.

So you’ll need a week’s worth of food. I’d recommend Mountain House dehydrated meals. You can find them at any outdoors sport store. Also, bring a water pump for replenishing your water bottle from rivers, three changes of clothing, a tent, tarp, and sleeping bag in addition to everything in our basic hiking gear list. Remember to make your pack as light as possible.

      The trail head is at the abandoned mine, Livingston Mill. This link will give you the directions from Rexburg.

After about a mile you’ll come to the Big Baldy Junction. Take the right fork as the left fork will take you to the Boulder Chain Lakes.

 

The trail then meanders alongside a river. You’ll climb hills, cross meadows, and come across a sign for “quick sand,” however, I searched for an hour but couldn’t find any. The lakes are gorgeous and the fishing is amazing. You’ll find an abundance of all kinds of trout so this would be an ideal week long fishing trip.

The lakes above Walker Lake, Sheep Lake and Sapphire Lake, are fun to visit as is a rock glacier which feeds into these lakes. The rock glacier is different from an actual glacier, of which there are none left in Idaho, as it is covered in rock and held together by big boulders.