About This Route
Two Medicine Lake, at 5,200 feet in the southeast sector, offers calm shore dives from the boat launch near Two Medicine Campground, accessible via the Appistoki Falls trail. Depths to 150 feet reveal quartzite slabs and mayfly hatches feeding cutthroat trout.
Safety Considerations
50°F waters induce mammalian reflex; breathe steadily post-immersion. Sinopah Mountain winds cause surges; dive pre-noon. Submerged talus from Aster Falls hides hazards. Low viz from runoff; altitude DCS risk high. Secure NPS launch permit; avoid after thunderstorms.
Essential Gear
7mm drysuit (Scubapro Everdry), lift bag, dive flag; thermal base layers; Suunto Zoop Novo altimeter computer.
Emergency Tips
Overcool? Abort, surface, self-rescue to beach; signal campers. Two Medicine Ranger Station has AED, 1 mile distant. Hydrate aggressively.
True story: 2020 wind incident averted by SMB; plan conservatively.