Hiking Castle Lake
Western Uintas
Overview
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Fri 37 | 22 |
Sat 30 | 23 |
Sun 22 | 19 |
Mon 21 | 12 |
Tue 21 | 8 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Fri 37 | 22 |
Sat 30 | 23 |
Sun 22 | 19 |
Mon 21 | 12 |
Tue 21 | 8 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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
Getting There
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
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.
Photos
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" |