Bailey Lake hike

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

By Jake Nichols

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Lost anglers are hard pressed to find clear water to fish in while the runoff is on in Jackson Hole. Lakes are good alternatives to milky, moving waters. One perfect combination hike/swim/fish area is Bailey Lake. While the 40-acre lake has never been known as tremendously productive as far as fishing, it’s worth a shot here in the early season. Hint: try the northern end.

The lake once boasted dual approaches, but the Snake River Sporting Club development, south of Astoria Springs, has all but bottled up access to the trailhead across the river from Pole Canyon at the “Elbow” of the Snake River. At this trailhead you’ll find one of the oddest, out-of-place sights in the valley. A WWII-era tank-like vehicle sits rotting away, half-buried in the tall grass. On the side reads the stencil, “STANDARD MODIFICATION 10/11/1945.”

As of press time, we couldn’t find a single person who knew why or what the vehicle was doing there. Longtime river runner Heather Ewing knew of the tank but could not speculate as to why it was there. She did, however, mention that this area is off limits due to ongoing bald eagle nesting. This area shows the signs of heavy burn as a result of the East Table Fire which began on July 12, 2003, and consumed 3,599 acres.
The more traditional route to Bailey Lake is from the Little Greys River drainage to the south. To get to the trailhead, drive the Snake River Canyon to Alpine and make the left on Forest Road 138 at the Yamaha dealership.

At 8.4 miles, which is at the confluence of the Greys and Little Greys Rivers, zero out your odometer and take the left hand split and continue another 1.2 miles. Here, a two-track begins on your left which eventually turns into the Elk Mountain trail. A fairly easy 3.2 mile hike to the top of Elk Mountain and a lookout tower is a nice alternative.
For Bailey, keep bumping down the road a total of 14.5 miles from the Greys-Little Greys confluence. Stay left at the 12-mile mark and right at the 14-mile mark. A left split here takes you to the McCain Guard Station. Park in the open area before the campground for Waterdog Lake.

A trailhead sign here says the lake is six miles. It’s not. You’ll arrive at the lake in 4.3 miles with little elevation variation. The trail is mostly downhill on the way in.
The formidable Grayback Ridge guides your approach to the east (right), while West Bailey Creek frames the busy pack trail to the west (left). With some bushwhacking, it is also possible to approach the lake from the west via Bull Hollow. A trail begins there, but shortcutters will have to quit it at N43,8.956; W110,44.876, and head ENE to pick up the main trail.

The lake is snowmelt-fed and empties into the Snake River via Bailey Creek. At only 6,518 feet above sea level, it is swimmable by now and fishing the best it will all summer before things get too hot.

Bring extra footwear to wade the lake. The trail skirts the eastern side of the lake, traversing the length and continuing on to the Snake River another four miles north. An inlet about one-third of the way up the lake on the east side is a perfect setting for a picnic. Horses are often tied here for that reason, however.

Photo by JAKE NICHOLS
Catch a dose of serenity during your outdoor endeavor at Bailey Lake.

PERMALINK:
Bailey Lake hike | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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