Start at the trail head for Sandbeach Lake, just to the right of the check in kiosk at Wild Basin. The trail starts out and stays a bit steep for a few miles (until you summit Copeland Morane). I started pretty early in the morning...










Mt. Orton is one of those that will give you false summit after false summit. Once you break tree line, just orient yourself to the high point and go. When you arrive there, reorient to the new high point and go. Eventually you'll reach a rocky summit.



From the summit, it is an easy hike on North Ridge. The book recommends descending to Hunters Creek between Keplinger Lake and the small pond immediately south of it. However, there was still a large and steep snow field in this region, so I had to carefully pick my way down the slope, and ended up at the south end of that pond.


I crossed the pond at the south end and followed Hunters Creek up.








To get back down I decided the best way would be to skirt the south side of Mt. Meeker, eventually cutting back south to Hunters Creek to see Lyric Falls. This was not the best idea since most of the area between Keplinger Lake and Meeker is drainage, and there was a ton of water to navigate around/across, marshy land, and a good amount of 2-3 foot growth, which made moving a pain.
But the route did afford me some unique sights.







After slogging through the drainage, I hit the talus of the south side of Meeker. This encompassed anywhere from house sized boulders to much smaller rocks. I was glad to be out of the wet, but the going didn't get any easier.


My next and last goal of the day was Lyric Falls. Since Hunters Creek drops over so much elevation, I am not sure exactly what point Lyric Falls was at. But since I walked by a significant amount of cascades on the way down, I am sure I passed the falls.





I am not sure. I can tell you that you will find a unmaintained trail along Hunters Creek, so the going is alot easier as no bushwhacking is involved. When headed south, this trail will eventually intersect with the Sandbeach Lake trail. Just take a left and head back. The steeper parts up of the trail become almost a blessing headed down.

While hiking to Keplinger Lake is not going to be an easy task any way you go, it is certainly one of the most beautiful lakes in Wild Basin. It is off the beaten path, and it takes some hard work and time to get there, but in the end it is more than worth it.
Keplinger Lake via North Ridge:
7.2 miles one way, 3346 foot gain. The lake itself lies at 11686 feet. This will be an easier strenuous hike due to gain and bushwhacking involved.
Other destinations along the way:
Sandbeach Lake, 10283 feet:
4.2 miles one way, 1943 foot gain. Easier moderate hike.
Mount Orton, 11724 feet:
5.7 miles one way, 3384 foot gain. Harder moderate hike due to significant gain in the last mile and bushwhacking.
Lyric Falls, 10160 feet:
4 miles one way (bushwhacking up from Hunters Creek), 1820 foot gain. Easier moderate. When you get to Hunters Creek via the Sandbeach Lake trail, look for a path on your right before you cross the creek. While it is an unofficial path, it exists for quite awhile.
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