Shadow Lake

In the East Rosebud drainage, situated above the picturesque East Rosebud itself on the scenic west side, there are two noteworthy lakes: Shadow Lake and Lost Lake. It is hoped that if you venture to these stunning lakes, you arrived before the devastating burn or many years after the recovery, as the fire significantly complicated this hike, elevating its difficulty level to nearly expert status. The trek measures 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet, making it a decidedly challenging hike, particularly due to the harsh effects of the burn.

Starting our adventure at East Rosebud, we managed to find a parking spot conveniently located by the charming bridge. However, our initial excitement turned to concern when we noticed that the road we needed to traverse was marked with a no trespassing sign, which made us anxious about the possibility of being unable to proceed. Fortunately, a kind neighbor residing in the area reassured us that walking along the road was permissible, provided we refrained from driving on it. Once we navigated past the neighborhood, we began our uphill climb, which persisted for the entirety of the hike. The effects of the burn made this section particularly arduous; by the time we finally reached Shadow Lake, our legs were covered in scratches and blood from the dense brush and fallen logs hidden beneath the overgrowth.

After Shadow Lake, the path led us upward once again—up, up, and up—until eventually, we caught our first glimpse of Lost Lake. When following the drainage that connects the two lakes, the path was relatively pleasant to walk along, although it was notably steep in sections. As we approached Lost Lake, we found ourselves surrounded by massive boulders that dotted the landscape. I often had to physically carry my dog through numerous challenging spots because these boulders were so substantial that she simply couldn’t maneuver around them on her own, especially given her age.