About Bench Lake
The North Inlet / Grand Lake Area (West) setting gives Bench Lake its frame: a moderate lake, 10,142 feet high, and positioned on the west side of the Continental Divide.
The setting is remote west-side lake. The approach from North Inlet TH is 6.5 miles one-way, enough to feel like a real hike without entering the hardest tier. The North Inlet and Grand Lake area is west-side backcountry: longer valleys, broad drainages, and fewer quick turnarounds. The distance and setting make this a plan-ahead destination, not a casual lake stop.
NPS distance tables place the North Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake on the west side, where long valley approaches replace the short, crowded Bear Lake Road pattern.
Route Map
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