Flat Tops Wilderness | Friday – Saturday, June 19-20, 2026
This year for the Juneteenth holiday Jackson and I headed up into the Flat Tops Wilderness for a quick overnight backpacking trip so I could finally hike to the summit of Big Marvine Peak, which is something I’ve wanted to do since the first time I laid eyes on that peak jutting out from the top of the plateau from a distance. I had actually planned to hike to Big Marvine Peak with Diane when we backpacked to the Marvine Lakes about three years ago, but things didn’t quite go as planned on that trip and we ended up just staying in the Marvine Creek drainage, so I was looking forward to trying again, but this time coming from the opposite direction. We left home early on Friday morning and made our way to Meeker, then followed the Flat Tops Trail along the White River to the Wall Lake Trailhead located just above Trappers Lake, where we began our hike.
After leaving the trailhead we quickly entered the Flat Tops Wilderness.
The trail passed by Anderson Lake before starting to climb up onto the plateau.
Wall Lake Trail
Flander Point
Once on top we found that the trail was not quite as flat as we were expecting. There were quite a few ups and downs as we made our way to Twin Lakes.
The Oyster Lake Trail weaved through a bunch of small lakes along the way.
After setting up camp near the Twin Lakes we set out to hike to the summit of Big Marvine Peak.
Although there was a trail shown on the map, there is not much of a trail on the ground as we switch-backed up the steep grassy slope to the top.
Big Marvine Ridge
Once up the steep slope it was a gentle, grassy walk over to the summit.
Approaching the summit.
Big Marvine Summit
The views from the top of Big Marvine Peak were expansive!
Big Marvine Mtn, 1971
Looking over the edge. The Marvine Lakes are found down in that canyon below.
Summit Cairn & Wildflowers
The Flat Tops
As we started our hike back down we looked over the edge and noticed quite a few elk grazing and bedded down in the meadow below.
Jackson beginning the steep descent from the top.
Flat & Sky
The terrain between our camp and Big Marvine Peak was not as flat as we had hoped, either. We were pretty tired by the time we made it back to camp.
Crescent Tarn
Across the Flats
We returned to camp just in time to eat dinner and try to avoid the swarms of mosquitoes.
Twin Lakes to Trappers Peak
It was a nice evening along the shore of Twin Lakes, but I had to keep moving to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Flat Tops Camp
A lovely reflection before I retired to my tent for the night.
On Saturday we were up early and there were nice clouds in the sky, so I was hoping for a nice sunrise, but there was a large cloudbank to the east the blocked the sun for a while. I had hope that the sun would eventually come out and waited patiently…
Pastel Sky
Eventually my patience paid off and the sun started to come out.
It was worth the wait for the light to arrive!
Big Marvine Peak
The sky looked amazing this morning!
Morning Rain
Big Marvine View
After taking plenty of photos of the interesting sky it was time to start hiking back out.
Even though the weather forecast called for no rain this weekend, it started to rain as we left Twin Lakes and we would encounter a few more sunshowers throughout the morning.
Leaving Twin Lakes
Here’s one final view of Big Marvine Peak as we left the area.
Little Marvine Peaks
Following the Oyster Lake Trail back to the edge of the plateau.
We had a good view of Trappers Peak when we reached the junction with the Wall Lake Trail.
Hiking down the Wall Lake Trail.
Flander Point
Trappers Lake
Edge of the Plateau
Amphitheatre Point
Hiking past Anderson Lake shortly before returning to the trailhead and starting the drive back home.
>> Trappers Lake to Big Marvine Peak Photo Gallery
Part of the reason for such a short trip over this extended weekend is because on Thursday evening Diane and I adopted two kittens from a local shelter and I wanted to be home to spend some time with them. Say hello to Imogene (black & white) and our yet to be named Orange Cat (I will update this when we finally decide on a name).
