Wall and Twin Lakes | Western Uintas

Hiking Wall and Twin Lakes - Western Uintas Hiking Wall and Twin Lakes

Western Uintas

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking
MAPS: Mirror Lake, UT;

Sun

Mostly sunny. High near 24, with temperatures falling to around 14 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 1. West northwest wind around 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

24 | 19

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 11. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

11 | 6

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 18.

18 | 3

Wed

Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

28 | 10

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

28 | 15

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Filterable at the lake.

Sun

Mostly sunny. High near 24, with temperatures falling to around 14 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 1. West northwest wind around 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

24 | 19

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 11. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

11 | 6

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 18.

18 | 3

Wed

Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

28 | 10

Thu

A slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

28 | 15

View Full Weather Details
Stunning high Uinta lakes and scenery.

Stunning high Uinta lakes and scenery.

Like Ruth Lake, this is one of the more popular outings along the Mirror Lake Highway. On a busy summer weekend, the trailhead can fill up early and stay full all day. This trailhead is also the starting point for Clyde Lake and surrounding lakes.

Don't let the crowds deter, however, as Wall Lake is popular for a reason! The relatively short and easy hike to the lake through the forest opens dramatically at the lake with up close views of the high Uinta Mountain peaks that surround the Mirror Lake Highway area. If you're looking for more solitude, continuing on to Twin Lakes makes an excellent addition that tends to reduce the crowds a bit.

Pack a lunch, bring the kids, and pack fishing gear, the lake makes an excellent place to hang out. This area also makes a great short family backpack.

Mount Watson from Twin Lakes

Mount Watson from Twin Lakes

Getting There

Note: The Mirror Lake highway that is used to access this hike is paved and accessible to all vehicles, except when it 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 campgrounds in the area.

Wall Lake and Notch Mountain in the distance.

Wall Lake and Notch Mountain in the distance.

Route

The route is easy, assuming you find the correct trail! From the parking area, find the trail on the east side of the parking area. This is more narrow than the one on the north east side of the parking area that goes to Clyde Lake, etc... This is the trail that does NOT start by the restroom.

Follow the trail as it crosses between Lily Lakes and begins a small climb. The trail meanders north along the hillside and soon pops out at the southern end of Wall Lake. Stunning views! A junction here goes down to Trial Lake on the right. Be sure on your return to stay on the correct trial that returns to the trailhead.

The towering peak to the west of Wall Lake is Mount Watson. The notched mountain north of the lake is, not creativley named, Notch Mountain.

If looking to extend the hike, continue on the trail north toward Notch Mountain. The trails climbs through stunning high mountain forest, passing a string of small ponds along the way. A junction just before the base of Notch Mountain marks the way to Twin Lakes. Go left about 5-10 minutes to the large and (generally) less busy lake.


Maps

Twin Lakes / 5.62 miles / Elevation Range 10,019 - 10,467 ft.
Wall Lake / 2.18 miles / Elevation Range 10,019 - 10,145 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 503097mE 4503433mN

N40° 40' 54" W110° 57' 48"

Lily Lakes

12T 503104mE 4503639mN

N40° 41' 01" W110° 57' 48"

Wall Lake Jct.

12T 503381mE 4504851mN

N40° 41' 40" W110° 57' 36"

Twin Lake Jct.

12T 503604mE 4505990mN

N40° 42' 17" W110° 57' 26"

Twin Lakes

12T 503285mE 4506049mN

N40° 42' 19" W110° 57' 40"

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