Stuart Fork itinerary
Every published mile marker on the Stuart Fork route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Stuart Fork Trailhead permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Stuart Fork. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by walk-up.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Stuart Fork Trailhead is the one on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 8
- Across the markers
- 14.0 mi
- Published route length
- 27 mi
How long it takes: 3-4 days. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Stuart Fork route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
2,700 ft
Stuart Fork Trailhead
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
Starting point at 2,700 ft. Free self-issue permit at kiosk.
2.5 miles · 619 ft up to Oak Flat
Mile 2.5
3,319 ft
Oak Flat
First creek crossing area. Mixed forest begins.
1.5 miles · 161 ft down to Deep Creek
Mile 4.0
3,158 ft
Deep Creek
Major creek crossing on log bridge. Good water source.
2.5 miles · 729 ft up to Deer Creek
Mile 6.5
3,887 ft
Deer Creek
Second major creek crossing. Steelhead habitat.
2.5 miles · 473 ft up to Morris Meadow
Mile 9.0
4,360 ft
Morris Meadow
Vast glacial valley at 4,360 ft. Popular base camp with peak views.
2.0 miles to Portuguese Camp
Mile 11.0
Portuguese Camp
Shaded campsite in transition zone. Last reliable water before lakes.
2.0 miles to Emerald Lake
Mile 13.0
5,493 ft
Emerald Lake
Stunning cirque lake at 5,500 ft surrounded by granite walls.
1.0 mile · 381 ft up to Sapphire Lake
Mile 14.0
5,874 ft
Sapphire Lake
Higher lake at 5,900 ft. Requires scrambling. Historic mining dam remnants.
Getting a Stuart Fork for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Stuart Fork dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches Stuart Fork around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.