If you’ve spent any time in the glorified ghost town of Pony, you’ve probably heard of Hollow Top Lake. And while reaching the lake is no easy task, the views on the trail are incredible — and when you reach the halfway point, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.
The Hollowtop Lake trail is a 10 mile out-and-back hike (or you can take the loop trail which is about 12 miles long).
Don Uhrig / alltrails.com
This is a nice, peaceful forest walk, but it isn’t easy.
Don Uhrig / alltrails.com The trail itself isn’t too tough to navigate, but you’ll definitely be climbing uphill the entire time.
At 10,604 ft., Hollowtop Peak is the tallest in the Tobacco Root range.
Don Uhrig / alltrails.com You really might feel like you’re climbing uphill both ways.
About 5 miles in, you’ll reach Hollowtop Lake.
Marvin Zook / alltrails.com
The lake is beautiful and peaceful, and thanks to the lengthy hike involved to reach it, often uncrowded.
Romulo Rubio / alltrails.com Some people choose to make it an overnight trip and camp here.
Rumor has it that there’s even a sign-in box at the top of the trail, where you can leave your mark and let others know you made it.
Jerome Hicks / alltrails.com And even if you don’t make it all the way up, there’s plenty of breathtaking scenery – and wildlife mule deer, elk, moose, and black bears – to see along the way. Sometimes mountain goats are even spotted at the top.
Don Uhrig / alltrails.com
The trail itself isn’t too tough to navigate, but you’ll definitely be climbing uphill the entire time.
You really might feel like you’re climbing uphill both ways.
Marvin Zook / alltrails.com
Romulo Rubio / alltrails.com
Some people choose to make it an overnight trip and camp here.
Jerome Hicks / alltrails.com
And even if you don’t make it all the way up, there’s plenty of breathtaking scenery – and wildlife mule deer, elk, moose, and black bears – to see along the way. Sometimes mountain goats are even spotted at the top.
This hike is definitely amazing — but if you’d rather work your way up to it, you can start with one of these hikes for mere mortals.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
