This loop in the Uinta Mountains has incredible views and passes over 20 lakes and ponds! This can be a tricky as it only has a dedicated trail for 2/3 of the loop. The last 1/3 involves route finding, sometimes scrambling over rocks and past logs. I do not recommend doing this without the trail downloaded, as it is too easy to get lost. This is an incredible hike, just come prepared.
Directions
This trail begins at the Crystal Lake Trailhead along the Mirror Lake Highway. There are two paths about 20 feet apart. I will describe this going clockwise, but this trail can go in either direction. At the beginning of the trail, you see Crystal Lake off to the left.
There is one signed junction where you will head right towards Cliff Lake.
Cliff Lake is about 0.9 easy miles from the trailhead. There is one hill on the way there.
Cliff Lake is scenic.
The trail continues along either side of the lake to continue on the far side. There is a bit of a hill on that side.
Soon you arrive at Petite Lake.
The trail continues up a hill and past Linear Lake, that is a long, thin pond.
Watson Lake is bigger, but not very deep.
There were some beautiful Indian Paintbrush wildflowers.
Head up the hill past a tiny pond and on to a beautiful lookout!
From the top you get a great view of Wall Lake in the distance to your right. I have looked and looked for the name of the closer lake, but it is unnamed on all the maps.
Here is another view of that unnamed lake. There were big snow blocks when I hiked this the last day of June. I love the perfect reflection.
Just a few minutes beyond is Clyde Lake (1.9 moderate miles in). This lake is very beautiful!
There is a path that goes right next to it and you can see it full of brook trout. It was probably one of my favorite lakes we passed.
There are three smaller lakes in quick succession: Booker Lake, Divide Lake #1 an Divide Lake #2.
After Divide Lake #2 there is a path through wildflowers.
There are a lot of wildflowers in this section.
There was still a patch of snow, but you don’t have to walk on it.
There are some cairns, but you will need to have the map downloaded across the rock.
If you want to save yourself a lot of scrambling and elevation changes, skip Hidden Lake. I would describe that section of the trail difficult, rather than just moderate like the rest of the trail loop. This is the terrain you are route finding, over boulders, small streams, and giant logs.
Hidden Lake is nice, but it’s only worth going down and then back up if you enjoy scrambling and route finding and want additional exercise.
Whether you are climbing back up from Hidden Lake or you skipped it, the next section takes you over the rock towards Peter Lake.
The next smaller one is James Lake.
You pass rocks, wildflowers, a few unnamed ponds.
John Lake is the next bigger one.
You pass another unnamed pond.
Then you head up the rock hill.
There are some impressive views from the ridge.
Keep going up the hill.
Near the top of the hill is an even more impressive view. From near to far the lakes are North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, Wall Lake and then Trial Lake in the distance.
About 100 meters beyond this point is the high point of the trail. This is the view to the left, the opposite way you’ll be headed. Lovenia Lake and some some other lakes. Ibantik Lake is that direction.
If you look the other direction you see some watermelon snow and the lakes beyond. Watermelon snow is pink from an algea called Chlamydomonas nivalis. Algea is typically green, but this is red to protect it from UV rays. The trail is to the right of this picture and then connects to the trail below the snow.
From this point there will be an actual trail the remainder of the loop. This next section looses a lot of elevation quickly.
There is a sign to show the paths to Notch and Clyde Lake. Then there the trail leads through meadows.
There are beautiful flowers there!
The lake just to your right is Hope Lake.
Follow the path to Wall Lake.
When you see the sign to Crystal Lake and Trial Lake, you know to head back towards Crystal. You may want to take a little detour towards Wall Lake for a better view.
It started sprinkling so my photos look a bit airbrushed.
Go back to the junction and head towards Crystal Lake.
You will pass between Lily Lakes. We saw a deer down there, but I wasn’t fast enough to get a photo. You can see lots of water lilies on both Lily Lakes.
As I was hiking I saw a few birds. The first is the Canada Jay.
These are Mountain Blue Birds.
Stats:
Distance – 7.5 mile loop
Approximate hiking time – 3-6 hours
Elevation gain – 925 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks
Bathrooms – At Trailhead
Seasons to hike – June-October
Permits needed – $10 for a 3-day pass or a National Parks Pass
Pets allowed – Yes
Other nearby hikes along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway are Lofty Lake Loop, Bald Mountain, Ruth Lake, Bonnie Lake, Upper Provo Falls, and of course beautiful Mirror Lake!
Beautiful photography of beautiful lakes and scenery! Excellent detail on the trails! Fantastic job!