The Bench Lakes Trail is open partway to mountain bikes (all the way to the Redfish Inlet), so many hikers/climbers will ride bikes to the lake junction.
Hiking the trail into the wilderness (you have to leave your bikes behind) with Mount Heyburn (10,299') in the background.
Cruising up the first several switchbacks with Mount Heyburn (10,299') in the background.
Looking across the first, lowest Bench Lake.
Mount Heyburn (10,299') can be seen from the lowest Bench Lake.
Another view of the granite spires that make up Mt Heyburn from the southeast shore of the 3rd Bench Lake.
Looking across the 3rd Bench Lake.
The view looking down canyon across the south shore of the 3rd Bench Lake.
The 4th Bench Lake occupies an incredible alpine cirque at the base of Mount Heyburn.
A climber begins the traverse along the south shore of the 4th Bench Lake.
The 4th Bench Lake can be covered by snow and ice into July. The snowfields beneath the north face of Mount Heyburn can last all summer.
Boulders and lake detail.
The climbing routes on Mount Heyburn are often accessed by climbing the talus fields above the 4th Bench Lake.
Small climbers trails can be followed through the talus and scree fields.
Looking down valley on the Bench Lakes and Redfish Lake at the bottom of the valley.
Stunning blue above the 4th Bench Lake.
Rock cairn in the northwest saddle of Mount Heyburn.
Looking at the Rotten Monoligh from the northwest saddle of Mount Heyburn.
A faint climber's trail leads from the northwest saddle to the southwest or Silver Saddle of Mount Heyburn.
Hikers can choose to descend the Bench Lakes trail to the Redfish Inlet and catch a boat ride back to the north end of the lake. This trail supports some beautiful wildflowers in early June.
Taking a family hike along the Bench Lakes trail.
A family enjoys a field of arowleaf balsam root while descending to the Redfish Inlet dock and campground.