ACCESS: The Tin Cup Trailhead at Pettit Lake is very popular with limited parking. Be ready with a back-up plan if you cannot find a parking spot. Park only in designated sites. Please do not park off the side of the road in the sagebrush or other vegetation, it destroys the delicate alpine habitat. There is some overflow parking at the Tin Cup Horse Trailhead.
Please don’t cut switchbacks! It causes erosion, destroys vegetation, and ruins the trail. This trail has switchbacks, please use them.
Most of our trailheads do not have trash facilities. Please be prepared to pack out all of your trash from the trail and trailhead.
Burry human waste 6-8 inches deep and pack out all toilet paper and wipes. There is a restroom at Pettit/Tin Cup Trailhead.
Trailhead: Pettit Lake/Tin Cup Trailhead
Round trip: 6.5 miles
Elevation gain: 700 ft round trip, 1000 ft out and back
Hike from the Tin Cup Trailhead at Pettit Lake to Yellowbelly Lake. This hike can be done as an out-and-back or a loop. There are several junctions to Yellowbelly Lake. At the first junction from the trailhead head up the hill towards Yellowbelly Lake and Farley Lake. At the next junction turn right to reach Yellowbelly Lake. You will also pass by McDonald Lake. To continue the loop, hike past Yellowbelly Lake. There is a section of the trail on Forest Road 365.
This loop can also be biked. There are several rocky sections. Bikes cannot enter the wilderness.
To hike to McDonald Lake and back to the trailhead is about 3.6 miles with 500ft of elevation gain each way.
