Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail
~2 days · 6.3 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail is known for
An out-and-back of about 6.3 miles one way from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead: an easy first stretch up the Stillwater Fork of the Bear River, then a steep climb on the Amethyst Lake Trail into Amethyst Basin, where Amethyst and Ostler lakes sit beneath the cirque headwall below Ostler Peak. Camping is found in the meadows of the basin and along the lakeshore; a popular one- to two-night trip.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 28,944 ft to 35,404 ft over 6.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 5.2 mi · 83%
- Downhill 0.8 mi · 12%
- Flat 0.3 mi · 5%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail scores 24/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 6.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail?
The Amethyst Basin via Stillwater Trail climbs roughly 2,080 ft total — about 330 ft per mile, topping out near 10,791 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.