Last updated on December 20, 2023.

The Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park is a 2.7 mile trail that passes two glacial lakes. It starts and finishes at the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The elevation gain is 600 feet.

 

The Beginning of the Trail

I decided to take the trail counter-clockwise and join the Bristlecone Pine Trail where the two trails split. The beginning of the trail took me through pine and aspen forest with the occasional mule deer prancing through. The hike was made more enjoyable by the vivid yellows and oranges of the leaves changing colors.

Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Alpine Lakes Loop Trail
Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Looking at the mountains along the trail
Deer on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Deer
Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Walking through the forest

 

Stella Lake

After about a half hour of hiking, I came to Stella Lake, which is small but very scenic. I stopped for a snack and to enjoy the solitude and scenery.

Stella Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Stella Lake
Stella Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Stella Lake

 

Teresa Lake

I made my way up another section of the trail, and 20 minutes later, I found Teresa Lake. It wasn’t as big or nearly as beautiful as Stella Lake.

Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Walking up to Teresa Lake
Teresa Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Approaching Teresa Lake
Teresa Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Teresa Lake
Teresa Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Teresa Lake

 

The End of the Trail

From there, I walked a short way through a pine forest until the intersection with the Bristlecone Pine Trail.

Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Near the end of the loop
Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Near the end of the loop

If I had a chance to do the trail again, I’d go clockwise just because Stella Lake packs a bigger punch than Teresa Lake. Going counter-clockwise was anti-climactic after reaching Teresa Lake.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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