{"url":"https://www.backpacker.com/trips/trip-report-beartooth-range-montana/","title":"Beartooth Aero Lakes Trip Conquers Snow, Trails in 4 Days","domain":"backpacker.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/5625819/pexels-photo-5625819.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","category":"Other","language":"en","slug":"5823ec21","id":"5823ec21-c608-403a-b7e7-06fdfc4a56a4","description":"Brent Umphlett and brother completed 4-day backpacking trip to Aero Lakes in Beartooth Mountains.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Brent Umphlett** and brother completed **4-day** backpacking trip to **Aero Lakes** in **Beartooth Mountains**.\n- Navigated unmarked junctions and **900-foot** scree climb to camp at **Lower Aero Lake** after **6 hours**.\n- Explored multiple alpine lakes amid lingering snow, succeeding after two years of delays.\n\n## The story at a glance\n**Brent Umphlett** and his brother backpacked **11.9 miles** over **4 days** in Montana's **Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness**, reaching **Aero Lakes** despite trail confusion and steep terrain. They started from the upper **Lady of the Lake trailhead** in late **July 2019**, finally succeeding after persistent snow blocked prior attempts. The report details their route, campsites, and lake explorations for other hikers.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- Day 1: Left upper **Lady of the Lake trailhead**, took wrong fork at unmarked **Star Creek**/**Zimmer Creek** junction, backtracked, crossed creek via boulders, climbed **900 feet** in a mile over scree to **Lower Aero Lake** in **6 hours**, camped at southern end.\n- Day 2: Woke to thin ice on lake, circled **Lower Aero Lake**, followed outlet past two waterfalls to **Upper Aero Lake** basin.\n- Day 3: Returned to **Upper Aero Lake**, scrambled scree and snow to **Rough Lake**, **Shelter Lake**, and **Lone Elk Lake**.\n- Day 4: Hiked out via correct trail from **Lower Aero Lake**.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- Trip rated **4/5 stars**, rated **difficult**, total **11.9 miles** in **Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness**.\n- Initial route error at unmarked junction led to off-trail scree climb; actual trail offers slightly better footing.\n- Campsite at **Lower Aero Lake** had tight fit for **two-person tent** but prime views of snow-draped **Glacier Peak**, **Mt. Villard**, and **The Spires**.\n- **Upper Aero Lake** featured bright cobalt water in metamorphic rock basin framed by peaks.\n- Lingering snow and morning ice persisted into late **July** despite two prior years of failed attempts.\n- Explored four additional lakes with varied mountain vistas via scrambling.\n\n## Why it matters\nAlpine areas like the **Beartooths** draw hikers for remote lakes and peaks but demand navigation skills amid unmarked trails and scree. Readers planning trips gain precise route corrections, campsite details, and challenge expectations for **Aero Lakes**. Watch for summer snow reports and junction cairns on future visits.","hashtags":["#backpacking","#montana","#hiking","#wilderness","#beartooths","#alpinelakes"],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-05T01:14:13.865Z"}