Off the Beaten path on the Clarks Fork you will come across Russell Lake. Russell was our basecamp for 2 nights. This family hike got cut short because we ran into some extremely nasty weather, getting stuck in a blizzard than wind storm is no fun so we had to hike out.
Day 1 lakes: Kersey, Twin Lakes, and Russell you can also throw in Fox, we dropped our packs and ran to it. Russell is a great camping location, it is 5.8 miles and about 1k vertical from the trail head. This is a popular destination, so don’t be surprised if you see a handful of people. The boring part of this hike is the beginning you will be walking along a dirt road for what seems to be forever but it is a private drive so you are unable to drive on it. Kersey is usually one of the best lakes to find huckleberries on so be on the lookout especially in August.
Day 2 Lakes: Wand, Mariane, Lake of the Winds, Gallery, Cradle and Lake of the Clouds than back to camp. Total distance of 4.5 miles and almost 2k vertical. The hike to Wand(amphitheater) was short but steep, there is a trail that leads to Mariane, although Wand lake is off the trail, it is not very far to bushwhack too. Decent camping here. From there to Mariane just find the trail again and you will be there before you know it. Mariane does has some excellent camping spots only thing is you are above tree line so firewood is scarce. 1/2mile and 350 vertical feet you will be at Lake of the Winds. Lake of the Winds is suppose to have arrow heads on the southwest side, we did not find any but I do know of someone who did. Gallery is next .4 miles and 100 vertical up than 100 vertical down to get to this hidden gem. The waterfall that enters into this lake can be starred at for hours. .4 miles and almost 300 vertical downhill you will be at Cradle, another gorgeous lake. 1.4 miles back out to basecamp.
Day 3 Lakes: Nymph, Twin Lakes, Molar, Ouzel than out to truck. This is the day where the weather hit us. Our original plan was to to push forward and camp at Sodalite. Next day hitting finger, moccasin, splinter etc. We woke up to decent weather but by the time we hit Nymph lake it was raining really hard. Between Nymph and Twin Lakes we where caught in a blizzard, we couldn’t see a couple feet in front of us and unable to start of fire because of the combination of wind and snow. Also we where above tree line so there where very little trees. We barely made it to Molar decided to turn around and hiked all the way out, we did roughly 16 miles that day, most spent wet and cold. Although for us it was impossible to navigate without a GPS the terrain wasn’t just boulders there was ground to walk on the 80% of the trip while above tree line. Getting to Twin Islands from Nymph was difficult as it was very steep, and cliffy. Possible recommend getting to twin Island, Molar, etc is to veer off from Ouzel.
Beartooth Brothers 