Bonnie Lake | Western Uintas

Hiking Bonnie Lake - Western Uintas Hiking Bonnie Lake

Western Uintas

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: MIRROR LAKE, UT

Sat

Snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 27, with temperatures falling to around 22 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

27 | 9

Sun

Snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. West wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

15 | 12

Mon

A slight chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

26 | 4

Tue

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

18 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 25.

25 | 7

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

Sat

Snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 27, with temperatures falling to around 22 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

27 | 9

Sun

Snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. West wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

15 | 12

Mon

A slight chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

26 | 4

Tue

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

18 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 25.

25 | 7

View Full Weather Details
Bonnie Lake with Hayden Peak in the background.

Bonnie Lake with Hayden Peak in the background.

The typical Uinta trail...

The typical Uinta trail...

Bonnie Lake is often reached via a short few minutes walk from Mirror Lake Highway. The formal trail to the lake is part of the Highline Trail and starts at Mirror Lake proper. The lake is scenic but can be a bit overwhelmed with road noise.

I recommend this hike, however, if you are camping in the Mirror Lake Campground and looking for a shorter outing without needing to move the car. The distance and little elevation gain make it an amble suitable for younger children.

Break time at the pond.

Break time at the pond.

Bald Mountain peeking through the trees.

Bald Mountain peeking through the trees.

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 31.3. This is 31.3 miles out of Kamas, UT on UT-150. This is also about 46 miles south of Evanston Wy on the Mirror Lake Highway.

A well signed paved side road leads down to the lake, day use are, trailhead, and campground. The trailhead is signed and on the south side of the campground.

The small pond along the way.

The small pond along the way.

Easy going trail.

Easy going trail.

Route

From the Mirror Lake Trailhead, follow the Highline Trail north. Be sure you are on the trail signed Highline Trail that heads north. The other path that leaves the trailhead parking area heads south to the Duchesne River and decidedly NOT in the direction of Bonnie Lake!

The trail ambles at a gradual uphill for about 0.5 miles to a junction. Left goes back to the campground in just a few short minutes. Stay right.

The trail to Bonnie Lake continues uphill briefly, then flattens out and passes a small pond that makes a great break spot for the youngsters.

Bonnie Lake is another 10 minutes down the trail from the pond. Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 2.11 miles / Elevation Range 9,973 - 10,158 ft.
Printable Maps:

Mirror Lake Trailhead

12T 509515mE 4505554mN

N40° 42' 03" W110° 53' 15"

Highline Trailhead

12T 509844mE 4505473mN

N40° 42' 00" W110° 53' 00"

Campground Jct

12T 509894mE 4506177mN

N40° 42' 23" W110° 52' 58"

Bonnie Lake

12T 510334mE 4506577mN

N40° 42' 36" W110° 52' 40"

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