Scout Lake

Scout Lake is a very pretty high alpine lake in the Uinta Mountains, surrounded by a beautiful forest and gorgeous mountain peaks. It is one of the many lakes along the Lofty Lakes Trail, which was our plan for the day but weather conditions were not favorable for that. So, we made it to Scout Lake. It is a very pretty lake that sure didn’t take long to get to, and the trail passes through a beautiful forest with great views of Bald Mountain all along the way. And, we found some other interesting stuff to explore along the way.

Quick Details:

Length: Half mile to the lake.
Difficulty: DR4, even though it is short it is up and rocky.
Elevation Gain: 390 Ft.
Restroom: There is a pit Toilet at the trailhead.
Dogs? General rule in the Uintas is leashed. But I don’t remember seeing a sign.
Other Info: Day use fee required. Minimum 3 day pass for $6.00 (as of 2016). I highly recommend bringing a checkbook or having exact change as it is self pay and there is rarely a ranger in the station.

To get here head to Kamas. Drive over Bald Mountain Pass and past Mirror Lake. From there you will cross Pass Lake, and see a sign for Pass Lake Trailhead on the left. Near Milepost 32. If you see Butterfly Lake you have gone too far.

Jordanelle Reservoir (DBP).

Nearing Kamas (DBP).

The beginning of the canyon (DBP). Autumn is practically in full swing already up here.

And the trailhead! Onto the hike!

Right off the bat you are in a gorgeous forest. I really love the Uintas.

And not very far up the trail I spotted this little guy watching us intently.

Beautiful forest.

The trail is pretty easy in the beginning.

Dry streambed crossing.

Bald Mountain and Reids Peak

And before long the trail starts going up, and is pretty rocky. At least to Scout Lake it isn’t too bad.

Up and around some boulders.

Bald Mountain and Reids Peak again.

Small pond connected to the larger lake behind.

With a peak behind it. I’m not really sure what this peak is.

We thought we had made it to Scout Lake, the mileage seemed about right. But, we later learned this is Picturesque Lake.

Quick panoramic. It is pretty picturesque.

Nice clear water.

I noticed a structure, so I decided to go investigate.

The lake is quite pretty, particularly with the surrounding peaks.

Oh. It’s a weird open air cabin thingie. That’s pretty cool.

With a nice view of the lake.

We saw another, and then another and a few more. Eventually we figured it must be some kind of scout camp.

The lake with Bald Mountain and Reids Peak.

Back on the main trail.

Pile of rocks.

Above Picturesque Lake.

I love the forest up here!

The trail is lined with rocks through here.

And before we knew it, we were already at the next lake! I thought the next lake was at least another mile at the time so it was a bit of a surprise. Of course what I didn’t know until we got back down to the trailhead was this is actually Scout Lake.

This is Scout Lake. Quite a bit bigger than I expected it to be.

Quick panoramic.

Quite beautiful.

A storm is definitely blowing in, but we decided to walk around a little bit.

Ducks on a log.

More of the lake. I think that might be Hayden Peak back there to the right.

Another panoramic.

The ducks again.

Well that storm is not going away. It was starting to get colder than we expected so we decided we better be safe and head back. We’ll finish the loop another day.

Back into the woods.

Rock lined path.

Already back to Picturesque Lake.

I think that is Pass Lake down there.

I found a rock slab that offered a much better view of Bald Mountain and Reids Peak.

And behind me. I am now certain that is Hayden Peak there on the left. You can see a closer view of that on the Ruth Lake trail.

Down to the front of Picturesque Lake.

Bad Mountain Pass, and you can make out the highway below it.

Reids Peak.

Bald Mountain. Both peaks are above the tree line, which is why they are bald.

Forest.

We chose well for our adventure on the holiday weekend. Packed parking lot, but only ran into a few people on the trail.

It’s been a while since we did the whole Mirror Lake Highway so we continued on towards Evanston (DBP).

Nice fall colors (DBP).

After Bear River it gets pretty flat and boring (DBP).

Looking back at the mountains we came out of (DBP).

Sulphur Creek Reservoir (DBP).

Fun colored mountains (DBP).

Eventually we made it to Evanston.

Coming down i80 is pretty easy going (DBP).

Nearing Echo where there was a recent wildfire (DBP).

And down Parleys Canyon (DBP). With a setting sun below storm clouds.

Nice sunset now that we are back in the Salt Lake Valley (DBP).

I am a little disappointed we didn’t get to do the full Lofty Lakes Loop but we had a nice time going up to Scout Lake, and exploring around Picturesque Lake. And doing the Mirror Lake Highway again was nice. Anyway, the trail was very pretty, and quite deserted for a holiday weekend. going with 10 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it was short, but up and rocky. Going with a DR4.

As for dogs, well, I am not sure. Most trails in the Uintas they are allowed, leashed, but I don’t recall seeing a sign at this trailhead. Use your best judgment.