Hiking
Packard Lake
Western Uintas
Overview
The Highline Trail from Mirror Lake Highway sees a lot of traffic from hikers and horsemen. Many of the hikers visit Naturalist Basin or Four Lakes Basin as either long day hikes, or as backpack trips. I find these areas can feel a bit congested and overrun. Packard and Wyman Lakes, though not as dramatic as Naturalist Basin or other areas farther from the trailhead, make for a very enjoyable day hike and are much less frequently visited. These lakes are good choices if you are looking to get away from the crowds, and maximize leisure time around the lake!
Getting There
The trailhead is the Highline Trail trailhead/Hayden Pass off the Mirror Lake highway. This is at mile post 34.2, which is 34.2 miles from Kamas Utah on highway 150, or about 43 miles south of Evanston Wyoming on highway 150. The trail will likely be very snowy until late June in most years.
Route Description
To Packard Junction (3 miles / 1.5 hours)
Follow the Highline trail. After 0.75 miles, a side trail comes in from Mirror Lake, stay left as the trail descends southeast along the base of the high Uintas.
Continuing on, a junction is reached with right going to Scudder Lake and left bypassing Scudder Lake. Either way is fine, but I recommend right to see the lake close up. Just after the lake, the trail re-joins the main trail.
Next up is Packard Lake junction, about 3 miles from the trailhead. Go right here.
To Packard Lake (1 mile / 30 minutes)
The trail heads south and passes near Wilder Lake before crossing a small ridge to Wyman Lake. Continue past Wyman, across one more small ridge, to visit Packard Lake. Of the 3 lakes, I think Packard is the most scenic, as it sits overlooking the Duchense River drainage.
Maps
12T 511493E 4507893N
40°43'19"N 110°51'50"W
12T 511616E 4507152N
40°42'55"N 110°51'45"W
12T 513404E 4504908N
40°41'42"N 110°50'29"W
12T 513574E 4503836N
40°41'07"N 110°50'22"W
12T 513839E 4503600N
40°40'59"N 110°50'10"W