Castle Lake | Western Uintas

Hiking Castle Lake - Western Uintas Hiking Castle Lake

Western Uintas

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: MIRROR LAKE, UT; HAYDEN PEAK, UT

Sun

A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

30 | 22

Mon

Snow. Cloudy, with a high near 25. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

25 | 23

Tue

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

31 | 14

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 22. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

22 | 18

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

24 | 12

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Filterable at the lake.

Sun

A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

30 | 22

Mon

Snow. Cloudy, with a high near 25. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

25 | 23

Tue

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

31 | 14

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 22. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

22 | 18

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

24 | 12

View Full Weather Details
Bald Mountain (left) and Reids Peak (right)

Bald Mountain (left) and Reids Peak (right)

Tucked just off the Mirror Lake highway near Hayden Pass, Castle Lake sees less visitors than more of the lakes in the area. Typical of many high Uinta’s lakes, Castle Lake is a charming little lake tucked up against a rocky hillside. With views of Bald and Reid peaks on the hike to the lake, it is a pretty hike to do and a nice morning or evening stroll. There were signs of anglers on our trip, though the lake does not have the use trails and trampled feel of many in the area. It is a quiet place to get away from the campground crowds along Mirror Lake Highway.

Though a short hike, getting to Castle Lake requires good navigation skills. GPS and/or good map skills are needed. The hike, being off trail, is through dense trees at times and a bit rough going in spots. Our toddler resolutely made it most of the way but was carried through a few particularly rough sections.

Castle Lake

Castle Lake

Getting There

Note: The Mirror Lake highway that is used to access this hike is closed in the winter. The gate is typically open from Memorial Day until late October, but if planning this hike on the shoulder season, call the forest service to see if it is open. ((801) 466-6411)

The trailhead is off of the Mirror Lake Highway at milepost 34.1. This is 34.1 miles out of Kamas, UT on UT-150, just after Butterfly Lake Campground. You can park on the curve on the right, or there is a small parking are on the left on the shore of Butterfly Lake.

The pond before Castle Lake and cliffs behind Castle Lake

The pond before Castle Lake and cliffs behind Castle Lake

Route

From the trailhead, walk into the campground and follow the road to the end of the loop. At the western end of the loop, strike out between campsites.

The easiest path seemed to be to head south and uphill for a few minutes to a more open ridge with views down onto the Mirror Lake Highway. From here, we found intermittent cairns, but they can be easy to miss. Head west for just a few minutes, then more north west. The lake is at the base of the mountain to the north, but if you head to the base too soon, it becomes a boulder field. There is a mix of intermittent use and game trails in the area.

If your navigation skills were spot on, you will reach a small pond at the base of the mountain below a large boulder field. Continue due west a few more minutes to find Castle Lake hiding in the trees.


Maps

Route / 1.50 miles / Elevation Range 10,321 - 10,390 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead Parking

12T 511334mE 4507827mN

N40° 43' 17" W110° 51' 57"
Campground

12T 511236mE 4507758mN

N40° 43' 14" W110° 52' 01"
Castle Lake

12T 510467mE 4507966mN

N40° 43' 21" W110° 52' 34"

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