Hike the Lofty Lake Loop Trail

Explorer

Michelle Olmstead

Explorer

Hike the Lofty Lake Loop Trail

08/13/17

This is one that we never miss when visiting the Uinta mountains due to the diversity and epic views. This hike takes you through forest, gorgeous mountain meadows filled with wildflowers, marshes, and rocky peaks, with several beautiful lakes and epic views all around. The recommendation to start this hike in a counter-clockwise direction is a good one, although you do climb quite a bit right off the bat. Going over the pass is the steepest part but you can pace yourself and take in the amazing views to be found here. My favorite part of this hike is the immense mountain meadow towards the end. So incredibly beautiful! Be advised that it rains every day in the Uintas, sometimes heavily and often suddenly, so be prepared with the proper clothing and footwear. Also, if doing this hike in July I strongly recommend bug spray because the mosquitoes are relentless! By August they are dying off but you should definitely have it on hand.

5.0

Cade Brown

Hike the Lofty Lake Loop Trail

10/14/16

Completed this hike on 10/14/16. Started the hike at 7:30am and ended at scout 11:30. But that was with taking it pretty slow and exploring at each lake. So definitely could have been completed in a shorter amount of time if desired. Did the hike as recommended from multiple sites going counter clockwise. I'm glad we did because going the other way would have been going uphill for a longer amount of time. Going counter clockwise you do gain a bit of elevation in a short amount of time but after you reach the peak of the hike, it's very easy. Downhill and flat almost the rest of the way. This is a great hike for anyone wanting to get away from everything but not necessarily wanting to spend all day doing so. I really enjoyed the fact that it is a loop so everything you see is new and exciting until the end. There are multiple lakes, the ones named and unnamed along the trail almost from the get-go that keep it exciting. Going up to the pass is where the real "exhausting" part of the hike happens. But very doable for anyone if they pace themselves. The views from the pass are awesome. It overlooks the uintas to the east and you can spot right away scout, mirror and picturesque lakes, with bald mountain right there. Makes for an epic view. After you pass lofty lake, there is another sweet view to the north of a basin and more lakes. Overall, great short hike. Not too strenuous but challenging enough to be rewarding.

4.0