The Emmons Moraine Trail is a short, family-friendly hike that features a view of the Emmons Glacier and its terminus, along with a beautiful turquoise lake colored by glacial silt. Enjoy a short walk through the forest along the White River to a spur trail to the Emmons Moraine, a rocky ridge of rocks deposited by the glacier.
To get to the trailhead, drive through the White River Entrance Station and continue five miles to the White River Campground. Be sure to park in the hiker/climber parking area and not in a campsite. The trail to Emmons Moraine begins at the Glacier Basin trailhead, located in.
The Glacier Basin trail was once an old mining road and follows the Inter Fork of the White River. One mile beyond the trailhead is a junction with the Emmons Moraine Trail. This one-mile round-trip spur trail leads to a viewpoint which overlooks the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous United States. The lake is unnamed and was formed when a moraine blocked glacier melt from the retreating Emmons Glacier. Note that there is no official trail to reach the lake.
Trail Statistics:
* Distance: 3.0 miles round trip
* Elevation gain: 600 feet
* Hiking time, round trip: 1-2 hours
* Wilderness Camps: None
Rules & Regulations
* Pets are not allowed on trails
* No campfires (backcountry stoves are okay)
* No bicycles on trails
* Pack out trash
* Do not feed or disturb wildlife
* Do not disturb any natural, cultural, or archeological features
* Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park, and for travel on glaciers above 10,000 feet
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service