Becker + Albino Lakes

Becker and Albino Lakes are two of the most beautiful lakes in Beartooth High Lakes country. And that’s really saying something, seeing how this region is pocketed with hundreds of shimmering lakes backdropped by scenic mountain splendor pretty much everywhere. What’s more, with a trailhead elevation of nearly 10,000 feet, much of the uphill travel is accomplished by the time the car shifts into park at the trailhead. 

The trail begins at the Island Lake Trailhead, on the Wyoming side of the Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass. This seasonal scenic highway matches Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road's marvel of engineering, but without the intense crowds. Don’t expect to have the roadway to yourself, however, as the Beartooth Scenic Highway is no secret to adventure travelers. 

From the Island Lake Trailhead, the trail to Becker and Albino Lakes follows the western shore of Island and Night Lakes. The instant panorama of big mountains behind these two lakes offer an excellent aperitif to the views encountered further along the trail. This first portion of the trail is also the beginning of the Beartooth High Lakes Loop.

After approximately 1.25 miles and passing by a few smaller lakes, the trail meets an unmarked junction. To the left, hikers reach Beauty Lake and continue on the Beartooth High Lakes Loop. To the right, hikers head towards the Beartooth Plateau and Becker Lake. Becker Lake's trail is not an official Forest Service trail, so it doesn’t show up on all maps, but it's so well-tread that it’s easy to follow without any bushwhacking. 

After navigating between two scenic lakes bordered by massive rock outcroppings, the trail navigates a large rock pile next to one of the shores. After this 200 feet or so of moderate scrambling, a clear path picks up from there, and hikers encounter their first elevation gain.

Becker Lake is like stepping into an inspiring alpine calendar. Every view of the water and the big country surrounding will make you want to permanently settle on the shores. At just over three miles from the trailhead, awe-inspiring Becker Lake is worthy of a long lunch layover, if not a consideration for pitching a tent and staying the night. 

While it’s hard to believe, sitting on the shores of Becker Lake, more alpine enchantment waits to be discovered from there. Hikers can continue on the same established trail to gain more elevation up to Albino Lake. The climb to Albino Lake is similar to Becker's ascent from the trailhead - filled with spectacular mountain beauty and forcing some deeper breaths as the air gets thinner. From the trailhead, it's just over six miles to reach Albino Lake.

Albino Lake is higher above the treeline, and with significant mountain features, including Lonesome Mountain up close and personal, this lake feels more on top of the world. Backpackers need to use employ site-finding skills to locate a place to pitch a tent and avoid the crew of mountain goats that make midnight rounds in the area. A light trail continues around the western bank of the lake, which eventually extends higher into the alpine country to reach the shores of Jasper Lake. For many, Albino Lake is the limit on a day hike.