We started our Lost Lake Trail hike in Primrose Alaska on a Monday morning in July. This was our Day 4 of our Alaska trip. Let me share our experience and everything you need to know about this spectacular trail in Alaska.
Three Ways to Hike Lost Lake Trail in Primrose
1. Out-and-Back from Lost Lake Trailhead (South)
You can start at the southern trailhead and hike to Lost Lake and back. The main trail covers 23-25km round trip. If you explore all the lakeside paths, it can extend to nearly 30km.
2. Point-to-Point Lost Lake Trail hike Primrose Alaska
This is the route we chose. The northern section is called Primrose Trail, starting from Primrose Campground. We hiked southbound, passing Lost Lake and continuing onto Lost Lake Trail. The total distance is just over 25km with 951 meters of elevation gain.
For this option, you have two choices:
- Arrange for two groups to hike in opposite directions and exchange car keys at the lake
- Set up a shuttle service (like we did with friends)
Our Airbnb was conveniently located just 3km from the southern trailhead. Lost Lake Trail Hike in Primrose is a must on our Alaska list so we managed to book accomodation as close as possible. We figured we could walk back to our Airbnb if no shuttle service found (by taxi). Fortunately, our friends met us at the trail’s end and gave us a ride back.”
3. Primrose Trail Out-and-Back
You can also start from Primrose Trail and hike to Lost Lake and back. While the northern section below treeline offers beautiful forest views, the southern Lost Lake Trail section provides stunning mountain vistas as it traverses the hillside.
Trail Highlights and Tips
If you can’t find a shuttle for a point-to-point hike for Lost Lake Trail hike Primrose Alaska, I recommend doing the Lost Lake Trail out-and-back from the south. It offers more scenic mountain views.
Here’s a sweet surprise: you’ll find different berries along the way! Look for:
- Blueberries along Primrose Trail
- Salmon berries along Lost Lake Trail
Our personal experience:
- Our friends accompanied us for the first 5km from Primrose Campground before heading back to get their car. They later met us at Lost Lake Trailhead – a perfect arrangement that made our point-to-point hike possible.
- Download trail maps from app Alltrails. I highly recommend to have the paid version for remote area like Alaska.
Where to Stay Before/After Lost Lake Trail Hike
Like us, either before or after your Lost Lake hike, you’ll need to stay a night nearby – especially if you’re driving from Anchorage or planning other outdoor adventures around Seward. We recommend using Booking.com to find flexible and convenient accommodation options. You’ll find everything from cozy cabins to hotels in Seward, Moose Pass, or even closer to the trailhead.
Note: This is an affiliate link, which means we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you -if you book through it. Thanks for supporting our blog!
10 Essentials for Backcountry Hiking
The Lost Lake Trail may be well‑maintained, but once you’re above the treeline, weather can shift quickly and visibility can drop. Always be prepared – especially when hiking in remote Alaskan terrain. Here are the 10 essentials we always carry on backcountry hikes:
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