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Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Backpacking to Amethyst Lake in the High Uinta Wilderness is a backpackers dream – a high alpine lake, lots of hiking and fishing, great campsites, not too many people, and cooler temperatures. Although the hike in is somewhat tough (especially if you are carrying a 30-40 lb pack), the reward and view is well worth the hard effort.

About

Amethyst Lake is located in the Christmas Meadows are of the Uintas, with a wide open meadow strewn with trees, resembling, well, Christmas trees. Christmas Meadows is situated perfectly to view Ostler Peak, Hayden Peak, and among the Stillwater Fork of the Bear River. Amethyst Lake is one of several lakes that is accessed via Christmas Meadows. Ryder Lake, Ostler Lake, Kermsuh Lake, and several unnamed lakes are popular lakes for hikers as well. Keep in mind that the Uintas can get cold at night, and they also get the daily afternoon thunderstorm. When backpacking to any part of the Uintas, be prepared for any kind of weather, and especially, mosquitoes.

Amethyst Lake can be hiked to and from in a day, but to really relax and explore the area, plan on spending at least one night at the lake. Since I backpacked to Amethyst Lake over the July 4th holiday weekend, I spend two nights at the lake. This solo trip was a way for me to relax, read, hang out in my new hammock, let Charlie roam the hills, and just rest. I’ve been needing some down time, and this was the place to let that happen.

Directions

 From SLC, head East on I-80 through Parley’s Canyon. Once past Kimball Junction, UT take exit 146 for HWY 40. Drive another 3-4 miles and take exit 4 towards Kamas, UT. At the first light in Kamas, turn left. At the night light (at the Chevron), turn right. You will now be on the Mirror Lake Highway. Drive 46 miles across the Mirror Lake Hwy, until you see the sign for Stillwater Campground. The turnoff for Christmas Meadows is not signed, but it’s 0.2 miles past the Stillwater Campground sign, to the right. You’ll immediately be on a dirt road signed UT 150 – drive another 4 miles to the very end of the road. This is where the parking lot and TH is. There is one vault restroom.

Trail Info

Distance: 6.5 miles one way

Elevation gain: 1,950 ft

Time: 3-4 hours one way, or 1-2 nights

Dog friendly? Yes, off leash

Kid friendly? Yes, older kids

Fees/Permits? The Mirror Lake Highway charges a $6 fee for a 3 day pass. It’s free if you have an annual Mirror Lake Hwy or American Fork Canyon pass, or free if you have an annual National Park Pass. No permit is required.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Driving up and over Mirror Lake Highway, I usually see Mountain goats. They are typically out feeding in the early morning or evening. I was happy to see a baby goat in the bunch!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 0.2 miles past the Stillwater Campground, there’s a dirt road off to the right. You’ll turn here, and see the sign for Christmas Meadows which is 4 miles at the end of this road. The road is in decent shape – even a small car can make it (slowly).

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 Stay straight for the TH parking.

 When I arrived on Saturday at 8am, the parking lot was full and I had to park in the overflow area. Make sure you hang your pass in your windshield – rangers will ticket you if you don’t have one visible.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 Hittin’ the trail!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 The trail is very well shaded with tall pine tress for beginning portion of the hike.

 The Christmas Meadows trail has a lot of water. What I mean by that is not only is there plenty of water to drink from (after filtering), but the trails are also water logged, can be mud pits, or very soggy soil. Most of these “bridges” were constructed by the Forest Service 20+ years ago. They definitely need to be updated, but my guess is that won’t happen for awhile (if ever).

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Crossing more bridges. Some of them are not balanced, so watch your footing.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 #Selfie!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 The trail takes you over rocky, rolling hills for the first 2 miles.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 Official High Uintas Wilderness sign! The trail split for Amethyst Lake is about 100 yards beyond this sign, to the left.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 At the trail junction. It’s hard to see the sign, because it is about 10 ft up the tree, in the shade. My white arrow on the left points it out. Keep an eye out for this large rock pile, so you know where to turn. There is also a campsite off to the right of the trail.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Once you turn off for Amethyst Lake, the trail becomes very steep and rocky.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 You’ll hear the rushing of the creek nearby, and come upon what I am calling Amethyst Falls. Near the end of summer, this may be a very small stream compared to now.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 The trail doesn’t show how steep the trail is here – take your time working your way up all the rocks. The steepest section lasts for 1/2 mile.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Finally the trail evens out – but only for 1/4 mile.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 You’ll come to this first small meadow. Up until now, you won’t get a very good view of where you are headed. Hike through more trees – it seems like this trail just keeps going up and up. I had to take several breather breaks.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 The 2nd meadow you come to is the big meadow, where you’ll see a lot of campers. At this point, you’ll finally have a view of Ostler Peak. At the back of that basin, is where Amethyst Lake sits. Only another mile!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

 Hiking along the stream below Ostler Peak.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

Passing by an unnamed pond, that also happened to be a very turquoise colored lake, with several campsites around it.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Passing by the 3rd open meadow. We’re getting so close to the lake!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 I could finally see the green lake ahead. It took me 3:15 to arrive to Amethyst Lake.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 I quickly set up camp, because I knew the afternoon thunderstorms would be rolling in soon.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Setting up my new Kroex Sports Hammock! I can’t get over this view!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 After taking a nap, I walked up to the Western side of the lake to get a good overview of the area. The ridgeline across the way was so awesome looking! It also showed me just how big Amethyst Lake it.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Charlie takes in his view – black & white style!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Setting up my hammock to snuggle with Charlie and read.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Charlie doesn’t look too thrilled here….

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Yet 1 minute later he is yawning from the comforts of his spot in the hammock.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 On day 2 we decided to hike around the whole lake, and climbed up to some of those snow fields. I found a nice waterfall from snow to filter more water in. Nothing better than ice cold snow water!

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Taking in my view from where I was able to filter water. This was taken on the south end of the lake.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 Beginning to hike around the lake. If you are brave enough, there are some cliffs to the left that would make for awesome cliff jumping into the lake. I couldn’t do it – the water was icy cold.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 On the East side of the lake, looking up to Ostler Peak. Climbing to that summit was one of my goals, but realized that since I was alone, it would be too tough of a climb by myself. I scratched that idea, and decided to just relax and hang out.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs


On the northern end of Amethyst Lake, I found this small pond, with a great view of LaMotte Peak.

Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

Taking a nap before heading out for the weekend.
July 2020

Hiking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

This time we went to Amethyst Lake as a day hike/run!

Hiking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas

That blue water though!

 

Trail Map

My track via Gaia GPS – the best tracking app! Get your app here for a discount.

 

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Backpacking to Amethyst Lake, Uintas, Hiking in Utah with Dogs

 

 

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