Lofty Lake Loop | Western Uintas

Hiking Lofty Lake Loop - Western Uintas Hiking Lofty Lake Loop

Western Uintas

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

Overview

RATING: Easy/Moderate Hike
MAPS: Mirror Lake, UT;

Sun

Snow likely after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 30, with temperatures falling to around 26 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

30 | 23

Mon

Snow before 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

26 | 23

Tue

A chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

30 | 15

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

20 | 18

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

24 | 12

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Filterable along much of the trail.

Sun

Snow likely after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 30, with temperatures falling to around 26 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

30 | 23

Mon

Snow before 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

26 | 23

Tue

A chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

30 | 15

Wed

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

20 | 18

Thu

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

24 | 12

View Full Weather Details
Kamas Lake on the Lofty Lake Loop

Kamas Lake on the Lofty Lake Loop

One of the things I love about the Uintas is how high many of the trailheads start. It is often not far to reach treeline and big views. Lofty Lake Loop lives up to its name and with a trailhead that starts at 10,148 feet, the hike is very approachable with great scenery in a 1/2 or 3/4 day hike. Though there are a couple of somewhat steep sections, total elevation gain is under 1000'.

The hike meanders through the forest before climbing near treeline with big views and rocky terrain as it ascends a ridge. The trail then passes Lofty Lake, climbs a small ridge, and descends back to the trailhead in a wonderful 4-mile loop. This is a highly recommended hike. Given the number of fishermen we saw at Kamas and Lofty Lake, fishing must be good or at least enticing.

Note: Afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence in the Uintas. This is not the hike to be on if thunder and lightning start. Several sections of this hike are quite exposed. Find something else if lightning is in the forecast.
Abby and Diane at Kamas Lake

Abby and Diane at Kamas 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 the Pass Lake Trailhead off the Mirror Lake highway. This is at mile post 32.1, which is 32.1 miles from Kamas Utah on highway 150, or about 45 miles south of Evanston Wyoming on highway 150. The trail will likely be very snowy until late June in most years.

The trailhead has a pit toilet and a large parking area a short distance off the Mirror Lake Highway. If full, there is overflow parking along the highway.

Logs at Kamas Lake

Logs at Kamas Lake

Route

From the trailhead, be sure to follow the trail on the south end of the parking lot, signed Cuberant Lake. Within a short distance, two spur trails leave on the left to go to the highway. Stay right at these minor junction. At 0.3 miles (5-10 minutes from the trailhead) a junction is reached with the left going to Holiday Park. Stay right toward Cuberant Lake. The trail meanders through Reids Meadow with Bald Peak visible to the south on the left and Reids Peak on the right.

The trail then heads north and begins climbing modestly to the Cuberant Lake junction. Stay right here, reaching Kamas Lake 0.4 miles after the Cuberant Junction(15 minutes). Tucked at about treeline, Kamas Lake is cliff-walled and has several excellent campsites on the south and west shores.

From Kamas Lake, the trail continues climbing to the ridge with views down into Cutthroat Lake, and the North Slope of the Uintas. An overlook here makes for a great lunch spot, before continuing up to Lofty Lake.

A short climb from Lofty Lake on the trail reaches the ridge and the start of the descent back to the trailhead. The trail reaches one final junction at Scout Lake. Go right. The trail crosses a dirt road, then begins descending back to the trailhead.


Maps

Route / 4.59 miles / Elevation Range 9,997 - 10,919 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 509022mE 4507011mN

N40° 42' 50" W110° 53' 35"
Right

12T 508913mE 4506933mN

N40° 42' 48" W110° 53' 40"
Right

12T 508750mE 4506886mN

N40° 42' 46" W110° 53' 47"
Right

12T 508516mE 4506868mN

N40° 42' 46" W110° 53' 57"
Right (Cuberant Jct)

12T 507680mE 4508098mN

N40° 43' 26" W110° 54' 33"
Kamas Lake

12T 508256mE 4508456mN

N40° 43' 37" W110° 54' 08"
Lofty Lake

12T 508851mE 4508714mN

N40° 43' 46" W110° 53' 43"
Right (Scout Camp Junction)

12T 509497mE 4507855mN

N40° 43' 18" W110° 53' 15"
Trailhead (Exit)

12T 509077mE 4507032mN

N40° 42' 51" W110° 53' 33"

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