Clyde and Surrounding Lakes | Western Uintas

Hiking Clyde and Surrounding Lakes - Western Uintas Hiking Clyde and Surrounding Lakes

Western Uintas

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: Mirror Lake, UT;

Sun

Mostly sunny. High near 27, with temperatures falling to around 16 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. West northwest wind around 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

27 | 20

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

15 | 6

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 21.

21 | 4

Wed

Partly sunny, with a high near 31. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

31 | 11

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

32 | 16

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

Sun

Mostly sunny. High near 27, with temperatures falling to around 16 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. West northwest wind around 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

27 | 20

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

15 | 6

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 21.

21 | 4

Wed

Partly sunny, with a high near 31. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

31 | 11

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

32 | 16

View Full Weather Details
Cliff Lake and Mount Watson

Cliff Lake and Mount Watson

There is not a much better place in the Uinta Mountains for family friendly hiking. From the trailhead, a string of lakes are encountered, allowing for families to choose a destination based on the motivation of the family for the day. All lakes offer good scenery, and most have at least a few campsites, making this a good short overnighter for families as well.

More motivated? Making it to Clyde and returning via Wall Lake is an excellent 5.5-mile loop hike seeing the best scenery in the area and highly recommended. There is a lot to see for the distance; bring a lunch and plan on 3/4 of a day even though the mileage is relatively short.

Watson Lake and Mount Watson

Watson Lake and Mount Watson

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 Crystal Lake Trailhead off the Mirror Lake highway. This is at milepost 25.5, which is 25.5 from Kamas Utah on highway 150 or about 52 miles south of Evanston Wyoming on Highway 150. The Mirror Lake highway is closed from late fall to about Memorial Day. The trail would likely be very snowy until late June in most years.

At milepost 25.5, turn left onto the paved road signed from Trial Lake and Crystal Lake Trailhead. Stay left a short distance from the highway, but take the second right 0.7 miles from the highway. Follow this 0.5 miles to its end at the Crystal Lake Trailhead.

The trailhead has a pit toilet and a large parking. There are also several campground in the area.

Notch Mountain and Clyde or The Divide Lakes

Notch Mountain and Clyde or The Divide Lakes

Route

To Cliff Lake (0.65 miles / 10 minutes)
From the trailhead follow the main trail northwest. This is wide and used to be an old road. 5 minutes from the trailhead is a signed junction. Go right here, toward Cliff Lake. The trail narrows and climbs a short distance to the picturesque Cliff Lake. There are several good campsites around the lake. This is an excellent short family friendly destination.

To Clyde Lake from Cliff Lake (1.5 miles / 30-45 minutes from Cliff Lake)
The trail continues past Cliff Lake, passing a string of lakes before reaching Clyde Lake.

A short distance from Cliff Lake the first of this string of lakes is reached, Petit Lake. This is a small lake with a few good campsites around it. The trail then climbs a short distance again before passing the very small Linear Lake.

A short climb past Linear Lake is the much more impressive Watson Lake with Watson Peak looming to the west of it. The views begin opening up here. There are several good campsites around Watson Lake.

From Watson Lake, the trail climbs above treeline to Clyde Lake with big views in all directions. Clyde is big, with several good campsites. Continuing north from Clyde a few minutes offers excellent campsites near the Three Divide Lakes.

You can return the same way, or return via the optional loop.

Optional Loop:
To Twin Lakes (0.6 miles / 15 minutes)

Follow the north shore of Clyde Lake on a well-used trail. It stays on the shelf below John Lake and contours to Twin Lakes in about 0.6 miles. There are several good campsites at Twin Lakes. The views of Notch Peak along the way and Watson Peak behind are stunning.

To Wall Lake (1.7 miles / 1 hour)
From Twin Lakes, stay on the most used trail as it leaves the lake, heads west, then reaches the Notch Mountain trail. At this junction, go right.

The trail descends, passing Hope Lake and several small ponds before reaching Wall Lake, one of the most scenic lakes in the area in my opinion. There is good camping around Wall Lake, though it is a very popular destination, so often busy.

To The Trailhead (1.1 miles / 30 minutes)
At the south end of Wall Lake is a dam. There is a trail junction here that return to Trial Lake. Be sure to NOT take that junction! Cross the dam instead, and stay on that trail. It meanders along at a mostly level path to Lily Lakes and reached the north side of the parking area about 1.1 miles from Wall Lake.


Maps

Route / 5.58 miles / Elevation Range 10,019 - 10,509 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 503097mE 4503433mN

N40° 40' 54" W110° 57' 48"

Jct. - Right

12T 502706mE 4503598mN

N40° 40' 60" W110° 58' 05"

Cliff Lake

12T 502780mE 4504018mN

N40° 41' 13" W110° 58' 02"

Clyde Lake

12T 502302mE 4505530mN

N40° 42' 02" W110° 58' 22"

Divide Lakes

12T 502183mE 4505849mN

N40° 42' 13" W110° 58' 27"

Twin Lakes

12T 503285mE 4506049mN

N40° 42' 19" W110° 57' 40"

Twin Lake Jct.

12T 503603mE 4505990mN

N40° 42' 17" W110° 57' 26"

Wall Lake Jct.

12T 503381mE 4504851mN

N40° 41' 40" W110° 57' 36"

Lily Lakes

12T 503104mE 4503639mN

N40° 41' 01" W110° 57' 48"

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