7.1 miles

Upper Brooks Lake

Togwotee Pass

Fee: $0.00

Access:

From Jackson, head north on WY Hwy 89/191 to Moran Junction. Turn right (east) onto Hwy 287 in the direction of Togwotee Pass/Dubois. 5 miles past the summit, park at Brooks Lake Road turnoff on the left. Note: this trail description begins 5 miles up Brooks Lake Road at BL Lodge.

Description:

Trail Description: The winter Nordic ski trail begins at Brooks Lake Lodge (or one can start from the roadhead junctions of Brooks Lake Road and Hwy 287 if seeking a longer outing – see Brooks Lake Road trail). Head down the bank of the lake from the south end, either via a gully just east of the Lodge, or back by the Lodge entrance gate, and ski down to the frozen lake edge. At 9200 feet elevation, Brooks Lake is usually well frozen by mid-December through late March, however, check with Brooks Lake Lodge staff or test the lake edge to be certain the lake is adequately frozen. Snowmobiles cross the lake frequently in mid-winter, so the easiest route across the lake, heading north, is to ski in a snowmobile track. Snow is often wind-swept on the lake, making for a smooth, chalky ski in untracked snow, or in the snowmobile tracks providing a packed trail. Brooks Lake is approximately 1 mile long, and the views of Brooks Peak to the west, the Pinnacles of the southern Absaroka Range to the east, and northeast, Mt. Austin, are quite a 360-degree spectacle.

Parking: Park at Brooks Lake Road turnoff on the left, approximately 5 miles past the summit on Hwy 287.

Skiing Experience: Suitable for intermediate skiers. Offers quiet, open, back-country style cross-country skiing without any disruption or distraction.

Directions:

Beginnings: The winter Nordic ski trail begins at Brooks Lake Lodge.

Views: Spectacular views of Brooks Peak, the Pinnacles of the southern Absaroka Range, and Mt. Austin.

Return: Return via the same route.

Winter Conditions: Snowmobiles are common in the area, but they are not intrusive to cross-country skiers. The region offers quiet, open, back-country style cross-country skiing.

Additional Information: Brooks Lake Lodge is open to the public for lunch in winter (highly recommended break by the fire), as well as overnight accommodation (comfortable, classic, elegant rustic). See Brooks Lake Lodge for more information on the Lodge and region.