Two Ocean Lake - Emma Matilda Lake Loop
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is prime grizzly bear country. Carry bear spray, make noise constantly, and do not hike alone. The meadows between the lakes are active feeding areas, especially in early morning and evening.
There is no reliable water source along the ridge section between the two lakes. Carry at least three liters per person — more on hot days. The trail is fully exposed for several miles near Grand View Point, and heat exhaustion sneaks up fast at this length.
Sections of trail near Emma Matilda Lake can be muddy and indistinct through early July. If the trail disappears into marshy ground, backtrack to the last clear marker rather than bushwhacking through wet meadow.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Go counterclockwise — hit Grand View Point while your legs are still fresh and tackle the steeper Emma Matilda descent on the way down rather than grinding up it.
Start by 7 AM to finish before afternoon thunderstorms roll in, which are nearly guaranteed from mid-July through August. The exposed ridgeline near Grand View Point is the last place you want to be when lightning starts.
The meadows between the two lakes explode with wildflowers in late June through mid-July — lupine, Indian paintbrush, and balsamroot. The north shore of Two Ocean Lake around mile two has the densest patches and the best light in the morning.
Photos
NPS Photo/J. Bonney
