Bench Lake Hike

This hike started on a steep, well-maintained trail that passes a number of alpine lakes. We estimated the distance at about 3 miles, and the altitude gain to Matlock Lake at about 2000 vertical feet. The trail ends at Matlock Lake. From there we scrambled up a very steep, rocky slope to Bench Lake. We estimate the elevation at about 11,500 feet.

View of the valley looking back from the trail to Matlock Lake

Looking up the trail at the beginning of the trip

The first glimpse of our destination is the tiny patch of snow, center top.

I used the contour of the slope on the right to measure altitude gain as I hiked.

View of the lip of Pothole Lake and the peaks we'll be camping in

Rocky trail in foreground, and my altitude marker behind it

Approach to Pothole Lake

Pothole Lake and Peaks
The low peaks in the center are where we are headed.

Another Lake View

Looking back on Gilbert Lake

View from the trail

Looking back on Gilbert and Matlock Lakes

This view of the peaks was taken during the off-trail scramble up to Bench Lake.

Bench Lake