Hike the Alpine Lakes Loop

Starting at nearly 10,000 feet — already higher than most people will stand all year — the Alpine Lakes Loop eases you through a landscape that feels more like the Swiss Alps than anything you'd expect in Nevada. The trail is well-graded and mostly smooth, winding through subalpine meadows where marmots sun themselves on boulders and wildflowers carpet the clearings in summer. You'll pass two jewel-toned alpine lakes tucked beneath the imposing flanks of Wheeler Peak, Nevada's second-tallest summit. The path threads through stands of Engelmann spruce and limber pine, offering steady shade with periodic openings that frame the kind of views you'd normally have to suffer for. The modest elevation gain feels like a gentle staircase rather than a slog. This is the trail for anyone who wants alpine scenery without alpine punishment — perfect for families, altitude-curious visitors, and photographers who want big mountain backdrops on a short walk.